At the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC 51) in Geneva Monday, the Special Envoy of the European Union for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson said the Taliban have failed to uphold any promises made, recalling Afghanistan is a party to the Rome Statute.
The remarks came at a time global leaders – including international community – have raised concern over increasing number of violation against human rights and girls education under the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.
“The EU remains deeply alarmed by the increase of human rights violations and abuses and international humanitarian law violations in Afghanistan,” said the European Union in a statement. “Accountability must be ensured and, in this regard, we recall that Afghanistan is a party to the Rome Statute.”
While the school for grade six girls and above remained close since the beginning of the school year in March, the EU reiterates its commitment to equal opportunity for Afghan women and girls in all spheres of life.
“The situation of women and girls’ rights continues to deteriorate,” the statement reads. “The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to the full, equal and meaningful participation of all women and girls in all spheres of life in Afghanistan, as well as to their protection from all forms of violence.”
Furthermore, the statement exclaimed that persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities and groups, LGBTI persons, human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers suffer killings, arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, physical abuse and torture are unacceptable.
“The shrinking space for civil society and restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms remain a primary concern,” the statement added.
The EU has defined five benchmarks as principles for engaging with the Taliban.. So far, the Taliban have failed to uphold any promises made. The EU call on the Taliban to enable the full implementation of the human rights mandate of the UNAMA.
