KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – More than 20 countries have voiced support for the proposed legal action against the Taliban for its discriminatory policies toward women.
As reported by the Associated Press, the countries condemned the severe and systematic rights abuses in Afghanistan under the Taliban, particularly the gender-based discrimination against women and girls.
“Afghanistan is responsible under international law for its ongoing gross and systematic violation of numerous obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,” they said.
They stated that they do not politically recognize the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan. “Afghanistan’s failure to fulfill its human rights treaty obligations is a key obstacle to the normalization of relations,” they said.
Yesterday, in an unprecedented move, Canada, Germany, Australia, and the Netherlands announced their intention to hold the Taliban accountable by bringing them before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In a joint statement, they stated that the Taliban has violated the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to which Afghanistan is a party, and that the regime must be held accountable.
“In the face of Afghanistan’s ongoing gross and systematic violations of its international legal obligations, Afghanistan must be held accountable,” they said in the statement. “We support this initiative. We call upon Afghanistan and the Taliban to immediately cease its violations of the rights of women and girls and to answer to the request for negotiations on this matter,”
According to a report by The Guardian, if Afghanistan’s case is referred to the ICJ, the Taliban will have six months to respond before the court holds a hearing and may implement provisional measures.
Following the announcement, the foreign minister of the Netherlands, Caspar Veldkamp, described the situation of Afghan women and girls as “heartbreaking,” stating that it is unacceptable.
“By holding Afghanistan to account, we aim to end the horrific laws and practices that restrict the rights of the female population,” he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Meanwhile, Mélanie Joly, the Canadian foreign minister, announced her country’s strong commitment to advocating for the rights of women and girls until justice and their freedom are achieved.
“We stand firm & unwavering in our support for the women and girls of Afghanistan,” she said.
“We will not rest until justice prevails and they see freedom,” she added.
The Taliban authorities, however, in response to the proposed action, claimed that the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, are protected and that no one faces discrimination under their rule.
“Unfortunately, an attempt is being made to spread propaganda against Afghanistan through the mouths of several fugitive Afghan women and misrepresent the situation,” said Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson.
“It is absurd to accuse the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan [Taliban] of violating human rights and gender discrimination,” he added.
The Taliban rejects any criticism of their policies, particularly those impacting women and girls, labeling it as interference. The regime maintains that its actions align with their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia.
