Human Rights Day: UN Urges Taliban To Uphold Human Rights In Afghanistan

On Human Rights Day and the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the U.N. mission in Afghanistan called on the Taliban to embrace and uphold human rights obligations in the country. 

“We pay tribute to and express our solidarity with Afghan human rights defenders, many of whom are paying a heavy price for seeking to uphold the fundamental tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Fiona Frazer, the representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Afghanistan, as reported by Associated Press.

On Friday, the U.S. imposed sanctions on two Taliban officials for their involvement in human rights abuses. Fariduddin Mahmood faced sanctions for decisions to close education centres and schools for women and girls after the sixth grade, while Khalid Hanafi, from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, was targeted for his role in human rights abuses, including abductions, whippings, and beatings.

The Taliban condemned the sanctions. Their chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said imposing pressure and restrictions were not the solution to any problem. He accused the U.S. of being the biggest violator of human rights because of its support for Israel.

“It is unjustified and illogical to accuse other people of violating human rights and then ban them,” said Mujahid.

Taliban's Ban on Female Education 

Despite Afghanistan's currency, the afghani, recently achieving top rankings in global currency markets, outperforming many other currencies worldwide, the Taliban's policies have notably failed women in the country.

Since assuming power in 2021, the Taliban implemented a ban preventing girls from attending secondary schools, sparking concerns about the potential long-term impact on the education system.

Human Rights Watch has issued a stark warning, asserting that the Taliban is causing "irreversible damage" to Afghanistan's education system. They point to the return of physical punishment, changes in what is taught, and the use of unqualified teachers instead of women, who are mostly not allowed to teach anymore.