Human Rights Council – 52nd session
Item 2 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan
Statement delivered by Iceland on behalf of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden
8 March 2023
Mr President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country Iceland.
We commend the Special Rapporteur for his ardent efforts in documenting human rights abuses and engaging the de facto authorities.
We remain deeply concerned about the dire situation in Afghanistan, in particular the situation of women and girls and that of minorities.
We strongly condemn the draconian restrictions on women and girls, excluding them from education, politics, and public life. This discriminatory denial of women and girls’ human rights may amount to gender persecution which is considered a crime against humanity.
The recent decision to ban women from working for national and international NGOs underscores the Taliban’s utter disregard for half the population of Afghanistan.
We stand with the women and girls of Afghanistan, who continue to show immense resilience. Without them, Afghanistan will never achieve peace, prosperity and stability.
What scope does the Special Rapporteur see for ensuring women and girls’ full, equal and meaningful participation in all spheres of life and their right to have control over their own future?
Thank you.