RASC News Agency: Shaharzad Akbar, former chair of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, responded to remarks by Rosa Otunbayeva, head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, asserting that mountains should not be disparaged as they do not harbor animosity towards women. In her report to the United Nations Security Council on Afghanistan’s situation, Rosa Otunbayeva noted, “The Taliban originate from the mountains and battlefields, thus their acceptance of human rights and women’s freedom is not anticipated to be straightforward.”
However, the former human rights chair stated, “Mountains do not hinder women and girls from receiving education.” Ms. Akbar further questioned Ms. Otunbayeva, suggesting that the UN should not grant the Taliban additional time at the expense of Afghanistani women. Emphasizing the urgency, the former human rights chair highlighted that it is already too late for girls who have been out of school for nearly a thousand days.
Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission has been disbanded. Currently, numerous human rights advocates, especially women’s rights defenders outside Afghanistan, are advocating for gender equality in the country. For months, these civil society activists and women’s rights advocates have been urging the UN and influential nations to criminalize “gender apartheid in Afghanistan.”
Several countries have shown support for Afghanistani women thus far. Significantly, Afghanistani women’s protest movements have boycotted the third Doha meeting, asserting it symbolizes a pact with terrorism.
Furthermore, no female representatives have been invited to participate in this meeting.
