The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken a bold stance against the Taliban's oppressive treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan, urging the militant group to change its policies immediately, Daryo’s correspondent in Afghanistan reported.
On Friday, April 5, the ministry issued a statement vehemently condemning the Taliban's recent decision to reinstate stoning and corporal punishment for women. The move, announced by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada in a chilling audio message, has sparked international outrage.
In the audio file, Akhundzada emphasized the implementation of Hudud, Islamic laws that prescribe severe punishments, including stoning, for certain crimes. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the decision as appalling and a flagrant violation of the basic rights and freedoms of Afghan women.
France, along with the United Nations Security Council, has underscored the importance of respecting the rights of Afghan women as a prerequisite for any dialogue with the Taliban. This strong stance reflects the global concern over the Taliban's regressive policies towards women and girls.
Since seizing power in August 2021, the Taliban has faced widespread criticism for its treatment of women, who have been deprived of education, employment, and freedom of movement. The recent announcement to resume stoning and corporal punishment further exacerbates the dire situation faced by Afghan women.
In fact, on March 6, Roza Otunbayeva, the United Nations' special envoy for Afghanistan, reiterated her urgent plea for the Taliban to reverse the numerous constraints placed on the lives of Afghan women and girls, citing blatant breaches of their fundamental human rights. She cautioned that the longer these restrictions persist, the more profound the harm inflicted upon the social fabric of Afghanistan.
UN specialists have voiced serious apprehensions regarding the regression of women's and girls' rights in Afghanistan, drawing parallels between the current circumstances and those of the pre-2002 era during Taliban governance. In a statement released by OHCHR, the specialists underscored the setbacks in women's rights since the Taliban regained authority in 2021.
“In 2002, after years of being denied their rights under the previous Taliban regime, Afghan women celebrated International Women’s Day full of hope. The day was observed in Afghanistan and at UN Headquarters with the theme ‘Afghan women today: Realities and Opportunities’ and commitments were made to support our Afghan sisters rebuild their lives and be full partners in the post-conflict reconstruction of the country. On that day the international community said that the plight of Afghan women had been “an affront to all standards of dignity, equality and humanity.” It stressed that world support for reasserting their rights should go beyond expressions of solidarity.”
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