Afghanistan, UN to the Taliban: “Treatment of women will be a red line”

“A key red line will be the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.” This was stated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, during a meeting in Geneva of the UN Human Rights Council convened at the request of Pakistan and the Organization for Islamic Cooperation. The high commissioner, citing “credible” reports, denounced that in some areas of Afghanistan women would be restricted from moving around and girls would be prevented from attending school. In addition, he added, the Taliban have suppressed peaceful protests and called to minor arms. “There are strong fears for women, journalists and the new generation of civil society leaders that have emerged in recent years,” Bachelet said, adding. that “Afghanistan’s ethnic and religious minorities are also at risk of violence and repression, given the previous serious violations under the Taliban rule and reports of killings and targeted attacks in recent months”. Bachelet revealed that he had received “credible” reports of serious abuses committed in areas of Afghanistan under Taliban control, including “summary executions” of civilians and security forces who had laid down their arms. The High Commissioner then urged the UN Human Rights Council to take “courageous and vigorous action” to monitor the rights situation in Afghanistan.