HRC 57 - Enhanced interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan

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HRC 57 - Enhanced interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan

09.09.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

United Nations Human Rights Council

57^th Session

Enhanced interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan

9 September 2024

EU statement

The EU welcomes the OHCHR report and thanks the speakers for their presentations.

The EU condemns the systematic human rights violations and abuses in Afghanistan. The Taliban's gender-based discrimination may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute, to which Afghanistan is a party.

The Taliban must abide by Afghanistan's international obligations, including under the CEDAW and CRC.

Mr President,

The recent so-called morality law proves that the Taliban have no intention to reverse course.

We must ensure women's empowerment, meaningful participation and leadership in all spheres of society and public life and political processes, notably in the Doha process.

An Afghan-led political process inclusive of all Afghans, with full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls, persons belonging to minorities, and persons in vulnerable situations, including ethnic and religious minorities as well as LGBTI persons, is required to ensure sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.

The EU supports the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and UNAMA, the appointment of a UN Special Envoy, and the creation of a performance-based road map for engagement with the Taliban, on the basis of Afghanistan's international obligations, including human rights benchmarks.

Esteemed panellists,

What would you recommend as next steps forward when it comes to engagement and accountability?