RASC News Agency: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has unequivocally denounced the Taliban’s directive prohibiting women from working in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), describing it as an “absolute misstep.” He called on the Taliban to annul all discriminatory decrees that have systematically curtailed the rights and freedoms of Afghanistani women. Turk highlighted the grave consequences of the Taliban’s policies, asserting that these measures have drastically constrained women’s lives, exacerbating their suffering. In a letter released on Tuesday, Turk voiced serious concerns over a recent warning from the Taliban’s Ministry of Economy to NGOs regarding the employment of women, labeling the Taliban’s approach as profoundly misguided.
“The situation in Afghanistan is catastrophic, with over half of the population enduring extreme poverty,” Turk remarked. He emphasized that NGOs serve as a lifeline, providing critical aid to millions of Afghanistanis. The Taliban’s renewed warnings, he cautioned, would further impede access to vital humanitarian assistance, disproportionately affecting women and children. Turk implored the Taliban to rescind their “inherently discriminatory decrees” and to abandon all policies that strip women and girls of their fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, public services such as healthcare and freedom of movement.
“No nation can achieve political, economic, or social progress while marginalizing half of its population from public life,” Turk declared. He urged the Taliban to reconsider their trajectory, emphasizing that the future of Afghanistan hinges on inclusivity and equality. This statement follows a directive issued last week by the Taliban’s Ministry of Economy, which reiterated its two-year-old ban on employing women in NGOs. The ministry warned that any organization defying the decree would face the revocation of its operating license.
