Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr President,
We are deeply concerned about the systematically deteriorating situation of women’s and girls’ rights in Afghanistan.
The full realization of the right to education for all is an essential condition for achieving sustainable development and a multiplier right that supports the empowerment of all women and girls to realize their human rights. The ban on women’s and girls’ secondary and university education in Afghanistan deprives them of the enjoyment of their human rights, which all individuals should enjoy on the basis of equal conditions and opportunity, in a non-discriminatory manner. It also undermines Afghanistan’s capacity to move towards sustainable peace, economic and social development, and the realization and enjoyment of all human rights.
Additionally, the order barring female employees of national and international NGOs from the workplace puts at risk millions of Afghans who depend on humanitarian assistance for their survival.
Mr President,
We share a commitment to facilitate a future where all Afghans, without any form of discrimination, can participate in Afghan society, including the full, equal and meaningful participation of Afghan women.
We therefore urge the Taliban to respect the full exercise of all human rights by women and girls, in accordance with international human rights law.
Co-sponsors
27 member-states of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden), and:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Australia
- Bahrain
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Georgia
- Guatemala
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Liechtenstein
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- South Africa
- State of Palestine
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Timor-Leste
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay