(Kabul) The banning of Afghan women from working with the United Nations is an “internal social matter” in Afghanistan, the Taliban government reacted on Friday, after the adoption by the UN Security Council of a resolution denouncing it.
The 15 members of the Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday for a resolution condemning in particular the decision taken at the beginning of April by the Taliban authorities to extend to the United Nations a ban preventing NGOs from employing female Afghan personnel, which “compromises human rights and humanitarian principles”.
“In accordance with international laws and the strong commitment of [UN] member states to respect the sovereign choices of Afghanistan, this is an internal social matter in Afghanistan, which has no impact on external states,” the Afghan Foreign Ministry responded in a statement.
“We remain committed to guaranteeing all of their rights to Afghan women, while emphasizing that diversity [of opinion] must be respected and not politicized,” the ministry added.
The council also issued a broader call on the Taliban government to “swiftly reverse” all of its policies restricting women’s fundamental freedoms and urged “all states and organizations to use their influence” to secure their reversal. .
“The world will not remain silent while women in Afghanistan are erased from society,” commented UAE Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, who co-authored the text with Japan.
Since their return to power in August 2021, the Taliban have returned to the austere interpretation of Islam that marked their first stint at the head of government (1996-2001) and have multiplied draconian measures against women. .
Secondary schools and universities are closed to girls. Women have also been excluded from many public jobs, nor are they allowed to enter parks, gardens, sports halls and public baths.
