STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 50th Session.Urgent debate on the situation of the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan
Statement delivered by Ms Anniken Enersen, Minister-Counsellor Human Rights
Check against delivery
1 July 2022
President,
When the Taliban assumed power last year, they guaranteed respect for women’s and girls’ rights. The concerted reaction from a weary international community was emphasizing that they would be judged by their actions, not by their words.
So far, we are disappointed.
Just this spring, the UN Security Council has convened two extraordinary meetings on the deterioration of human rights, especially for women and girls. A unanimous Council has issued two strongly worded statements calling on Taliban to reverse their policies.
They demolish Afghanistan’s prospect of recovering from its humanitarian and economic catastrophe, and they also impede a representative and inclusive government and sustainable peace.
Norway strongly supports UNAMA and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on human rights. We echo his concerns expressed after his first visit, particularly disappearances of those, including women activists, who speak up against a society ruled by fear, not law.
We hope Mr. Bennett will share his thoughts on how the international community may best support women’s and girls’ rights.
We must continue to support the Afghan people. That also entails engagement with Taliban. Otherwise, we will lose an important avenue for influencing the current, worrying, trajectory of Afghanistan’s future.
Thank you.