Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy strongly condemned the Taliban’s decision to ban university education for women in Afghanistan.
In a tweet posted on Wednesday, December 21, Josep Borrell called the decision a unique move in the world that violates the rights and aspirations of Afghans and deprives Afghanistan of women’s contributions to society.
“Gender persecution is a crime against humanity”, Josep Borrell stressed in his statement.
In an official letter sent to state and private universities, the Taliban Ministry of Higher Education has indefinitely banned higher education for female students. Higher education is “suspended” for female students until further notice, the letter reads.
The Taliban Ministry of Higher Education issued the letter on Tuesday, December 20. In the letter, it is stated that the decision to suspend higher education for girls is taken by the Taliban cabinet.
In addition to the ban on university education for girls, the Taliban also prevented girls from going to private tuition centers on Wednesday in the capital Kabul and some other provinces.
