This follows last week’s ban on women attending the university and the violent suppression of peaceful protests by women against this decision.”
The EU “expresses its disgust” and “strongly condemns” the Taliban’s decisions to ban women from public life, stresses the EU High Representative, Josep Borrell.
In a statement issued by Mr. Borrell regarding the Taliban’s decisions on women’s participation in public life, he notes that “on December 24, the Taliban reportedly issued an order prohibiting women from working for national and international non-governmental organizations and threaten these organizations with the revocation of their licenses in case of non-compliance.
This follows last week’s ban on women attending the university and the violent suppression of peaceful protests by women against this decision.”
“The EU expresses its disgust with these decisions, which add to previous restrictions introduced by the Taliban on women’s ability and right to work, receive education and, as repeatedly emphasized by the entire international community, constitute a clear violation of their basic human rights. Together they amount to erasing women from public life,” he adds.
The statement also states that an estimated 30 million Afghans – men, women and children – depend on humanitarian assistance, including food and medical aid, for their survival. Effective needs assessment and humanitarian assistance, as well as assistance to meet basic needs and support livelihoods, require safe and unhindered access for aid workers, including women, across the country. Women play a particularly important role in helping other women. Limiting women’s participation in this critical work will prevent such assistance from being provided to a large part of the population, including widows, female-headed households and children, it is pointed out.
“The EU, as one of the main providers of humanitarian and basic needs assistance to the people of Afghanistan, strongly condemns this ban and calls on the Taliban to immediately lift their decision, as part of their obligation to respect international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles. In the meantime, the EU will assess the impact the Taliban’s decision will have on the EU’s ability to continue providing aid to Afghans in need,” the EU High Commissioner underlines.
Finally, it notes that “along with other aid providers to the people of Afghanistan, the EU should consider what implications this decision and the recent decision by the Taliban to close universities for women will have on their engagement with countries and organizations us”.
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With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
