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Human rights in Afghanistan dominate UNHRC session in Geneva
Several nations, including Qatar, reiterated their call for safeguarding fundamental rights, especially for women.
The human rights situation in Afghanistan took center stage at the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, where restrictions on women and minorities were sharply criticized.
A report presented by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk warned of the devastating impact of these restrictions, particularly on women’s access to education and healthcare.
“Maternal mortality — much of which is preventable — has become one of the leading causes of death among Afghan women,” he said, describing the situation as an unprecedented public health crisis.
UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett stressed that “Afghanistan is not a lost cause,” urging the creation of an independent mechanism to investigate alleged rights violations.
Several nations, including Qatar, reiterated their call for safeguarding fundamental rights, especially for women.
Qatar’s Deputy Permanent Representative in Geneva, Jawhara bint Abdulaziz Al Suwaidi, said: “The right to education and employment for women must be central to any future vision for Afghanistan, and the international community must remain committed to this goal.”
Women’s rights and broader freedoms remain the most divisive issue between the IEA and the international community. However, government maintains that the rights of all Afghans, including women, are guaranteed within the framework of Islamic Sharia. The IEA has previously dismissed international reports on human rights as biased.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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