In a letter to United Nations Security Council and other organisations, several Afghan lawyers urged for targeted sanctions against Taliban leaders. They have said that the Taliban’s recent decisions are leading Afghanistan to a dark era and the world must act to counter them.
The letter has been signed by over 900 people and stated that prohibition of right to education and work of Afghan women dramatically impacts the life of half of the Afghan population.
The letter stressed that human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, of which Afghanistan is a member, consider the deprivation of girls from education as a direct violation of human rights.
Afghan lawyers have also stated that the Taliban's decision to ban education is against the Islamic laws and teachings.
The letter states, "The Taliban had about 16 months to address concerns related to Hijab, the educational environment, and logistical issues of Afghan girls’ education.”
The letter noted that contrary to the Taliban's claims, there are no traditional or cultural barriers to the education of girls in the Afghan society.
The letter emphasised that the international community is responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan and added that failure to act against the actions of the Taliban can lead to gender apartheid and a disaster that the world will not be able to contain.
The letter also added that other extremist groups are watching the world's reaction to the Taliban's actions and decisions and keeping silent will make these groups bolder.
The Afghan lawyers have also asked the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to immediately hold a debate of religious leaders in order to issue a fatwa to justify the right to education for girls in Afghanistan.
