47 countries call on the Taliban to respect women’s rights

On Tuesday, dozens of Western and non-Western countries signed a statement demanding that the Taliban in Afghanistan respect the rights of women and girls. It is feared that the Taliban will use its newly acquired power to oppress women and girls, as the fundamentalist group has done in the past.

“We are deeply concerned about Afghan women and girls and their rights to education, work and freedom of movement,” said the statement, signed by the United States, the United Kingdom and 27 countries in the European Union. We call on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to ensure their protection.”

Like other Afghans, girls and women deserve to live in safety, security and dignity, the signatories say, and all forms of discrimination and abuse must be prevented. “We in the international community stand ready to help them with humanitarian aid and support, to ensure their voices are heard.” Countries will be watching closely whether the future government will uphold the rights and freedoms that Afghan girls and women have gained over the past 20 years.

In addition to the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Albania, Argentina and Australia signed the call, as well as Brazil, Canada and Chile. Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala also supported the declaration, as did North Macedonia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Senegal and Switzerland.