PRESS RELEASE : UN HRC53 – UK statement on human rights situation in Afghanistan [June 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 June 2023.

Enhanced Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on human rights situation in Afghanistan. Delivered by UK’s Ambassador to the WTO & UN, Simon Manley.

Thank you, Mr President.

It has been more than 600 days since schools for girls were shut down across Afghanistan. 600 days. Two years of lost schooling, lost opportunities. To the girls of Afghanistan: I know that many of you are here today or listening online and we stand with you.

Since their takeover in August 2021, the Taliban have continued their campaign of repression and violence against Afghan women and girls. Due to the Taliban’s restrictions on female workers in the humanitarian aid and development sector, they are unable to provide life-saving support to women and girls in their own country. This is taking place at a time when over 28 million Afghans are in need of humanitarian aid, more than half of whom are women and children. These decisions have life-threatening consequences.

So let me repeat our call to the Taliban: Re-open the schools. Let girls learn. Let women work. End the violence and discrimination against women and girls.

Special Rapporteur, Members of the Working Group,

We thank you for your steadfast efforts. How can we better support civil society in Afghanistan, particularly women’s rights organisations?

Thank you.