Impending Human Rights Crisis: Evaluating the UN’s Priorities in Afghanistan

Afghanistan: UN Assessment Should Prioritize Rights

July 26, 2023 | 1:00AM EDT

Summary:

Human Rights Watch has called for a United Nations Security Council-mandated independent assessment of the crisis in Afghanistan to prioritize human rights, particularly those of women and girls. The assessment, due by November 17, 2023, is meant to provide “forward-looking recommendations for an integrated and coherent approach among relevant political, humanitarian, and development actors” to address the crisis. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have severely curtailed the rights of women and girls, including in education, employment, and freedom of movement. Humanitarian organizations are facing funding shortages, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.

The Worst Situation for Women’s Rights

The situation in Afghanistan is currently the most serious women’s rights crisis in the world, according to Heather Barr, associate women’s rights director at Human Rights Watch. Since the Taliban seized power, they have systematically stripped Afghan women and girls of their basic rights. This includes banning girls and women from education above a sixth-grade level, preventing women from most employment opportunities, restricting their ability to travel and leave their homes, and disbanding the system that responded to gender-based violence. The Taliban’s crackdown has also targeted women who have protested against these abuses, subjecting them to torture and ill-treatment.

A Broad Human Rights and Humanitarian Crisis

The women’s rights crisis in Afghanistan is unfolding within the context of a larger human rights and humanitarian crisis. The Taliban’s actions have had severe consequences for the entire population. Humanitarian organizations, including those led by women and those specifically focused on addressing the needs of women and women-headed households, are lacking funding to continue their work. The World Food Program has been forced to cut aid to eight million food-insecure Afghans. Banking problems and media crackdowns further exacerbate the crisis, with journalists and critics being detained without due process and torture of detainees becoming commonplace.

An Urgent Need for an Effective International Response

The independent assessment, mandated by the UN Security Council, provides an opportunity to redirect the international community’s response to the crisis in Afghanistan. However, Human Rights Watch highlights that the assessment must prioritize the rights of women and girls, as well as other survivors of human rights violations. It recommends that the assessment process be transparent and inclusive, giving all stakeholders an opportunity to contribute. The assessment team should ensure the participation of experts on human rights, including women and girls’ rights, throughout the process.

Holding Abusers and Violators Accountable

The assessment should not only direct attention to the situation in Afghanistan but also propose concrete measures for holding the Taliban and other rights violators accountable. Afghan women and girls, who are suffering under Taliban repression, feel abandoned by the world. In order to restore global attention and address the crisis effectively, the assessment must offer recommendations for meaningful action.

Editorial: Prioritizing Human Rights is Imperative

The independent assessment of the crisis in Afghanistan holds tremendous potential to bring about positive change. However, its success hinges on prioritizing human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls. The Taliban’s systematic violations of these rights demand urgent and robust action from the international community.

The international community must confront the stark reality that the Taliban’s abuses not only harm Afghan women and girls but also undermine long-term peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan. A failure to address this crisis effectively would send a dangerous message that such gross human rights violations can be tolerated or even ignored in the face of other political or security considerations.

Protecting and Empowering Afghan Women and Girls

To address the crisis in Afghanistan, the UN assessment team must ensure that it listens to the voices of survivors and engages with Afghan women’s rights defenders. The assessment team should actively seek input from those who have experienced human rights violations, as well as individuals from marginalized communities, LGBT Afghans, and local Afghan-led humanitarian groups. This inclusive approach will allow for a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by different groups in Afghanistan.

Accountability and Justice are Essential

The UN assessment should also explore mechanisms for accountability and justice. It should focus on identifying those responsible for human rights abuses and explore avenues for legal redress. The international community must work together to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that the rights of survivors are acknowledged and protected.

Investing in Humanitarian Aid

In addition to addressing human rights violations, the assessment should also highlight the urgent need for increased humanitarian aid. Funding shortages have resulted in dire consequences for vulnerable populations, including women and girls. Immediate action is required to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan. Donor countries and international organizations should prioritize funding for critical humanitarian initiatives and ensure that assistance reaches those who need it most.

The International Community’s Moral Obligation

The crisis in Afghanistan calls for a collective response from the international community. The UN assessment provides an opportunity for the world to demonstrate its commitment to upholding human rights, women’s rights, and the dignity of all Afghans. The international community must act swiftly and decisively to prevent further suffering and ensure that Afghan women and girls are not forgotten.

It is in the best interest of all countries to support the rights and well-being of Afghan women and girls. Failing to do so would not only betray the principles of equality and justice but also undermine the potential for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan. The world cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the crisis unfolding in Afghanistan; it must take decisive action to protect the rights and lives of Afghan women and girls.

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