RASC News Agency: The Women’s Rights Network in the United Kingdom has called on the British government to cancel its scheduled cricket match against Afghanistan, citing the Taliban regime’s relentless suppression of women’s rights. In a statement reported by Fox News, the group demanded not only the cancellation of the International Cricket Council (ICC) championship match slated for February but also a complete boycott of all sporting events involving Afghanistan. The England cricket team is set to face Afghanistan on February 26 in the group stage of the ICC Champions Tournament. However, the Women’s Rights Network’s statement goes beyond this single match, urging broader action:
“We urge our political leaders and sports organizations to take decisive steps. Prime Minister Keir Starmer must mandate a comprehensive boycott of all sporting events involving Afghanistan. “The England cricket team” must cancel all matches against Afghanistan’s men’s cricket team in any tournament. Athletes and coaches must reflect on their conscience. The women in your families enjoy freedoms to dress as they wish, pursue education, hold careers, travel freely, maintain bank accounts, and express themselves. What is happening to Afghanistani women under the Taliban is beyond horrifying. Any athlete with a sense of justice must take a stand boycott Afghanistan.”
The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan following President Biden’s directive to withdraw American troops. The withdrawal resulted in the tragic deaths of 13 U.S. service members and over 170 Afghanistani civilians. According to Fox News, the Taliban’s resurgence has led to the systemic dismantling of women’s rights, replacing freedom with oppressive and regressive policies. Since their return to power, the Taliban have severely restricted the rights of Afghanistani women, banning them from pursuing education, traveling without a male escort, and participating in public life, including visits to parks, gyms, and sports facilities. In their latest draconian decree, women have been prohibited from reciting the Quran publicly, praying aloud, or even speaking in public spaces.
The Women’s Rights Network’s call for a boycott underscores mounting international frustration with the Taliban’s oppressive governance, particularly their targeted eradication of women’s autonomy. This growing movement seeks to leverage the power of international sports to highlight and challenge the Taliban’s systematic denial of basic human rights.
