Afghanistan witnesses worst human rights crisis

The increasing violations of human rights in Afghanistan recently have been a disturbing matter. The Taliban, the country’s de facto authority, has been imposing restrictions since it took over in August last year.

In a statement released last month by the UN Security Council, the members of the Council expressed deep concern regarding women’s human rights and political, social, economic and security challenges.

“The members of the Security Council further expressed deep concern regarding the announcements by the Taliban that all women must cover their faces in public spaces and in media broadcasts, only leave home in cases of necessity, and that violations of this directive will lead to the punishment of their male relatives,” the statement read. 

UN High Commissioner for Humans Rights Michelle Bachelet condemned the barriers put in women’s way to participate in employment, public and political life, health services, livelihood, and humanitarian aid. She expressed her admiration of Afghani women for standing up for their rights and facing the systematic oppression, according to the UN.

According to the Human Rights Service of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), reports of arbitrary arrests and detention, ill-treatment, and extrajudicial killings have been received from those associated with the former democratic government and its institutions. 

Bachelet emphasized that Afghanistan is witnessing the worst human rights violations and restrictions on freedom of opinion and expression, which negatively impact individuals and communities, according to the UN.

In its statement, the members of the Security Council also denounced the continued terrorist attacks targeting civilians, including religious minority communities, across Afghanistan, as well as the trafficking of illicit drugs. 

On another note, humanitarian and economic crises continue to have a negative influence on Afghan citizens, as 93 percent of all households encounter a high level of food insecurity, according to the UN. 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 18.1 million people are in need of health services in the country, including 3.19 million children under the age of five.

The members of the Security Council called on the Taliban to swiftly invert their policies against Afghan women and girls and to reopen schools for all female students, according to the statement. They also asked UNAMA to keep observing and reporting on the situation.