The US Department of State announced that Benafsha Yaqoobi, a former member of the Afghanistan Human Rights Commission, and 11 other women were the winners of the "Women of Courage" award for 2024.
The award will be presented next Tuesday in a ceremony attended by First Lady Jill Biden and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The US Department of State announced on Friday that Yaqoobi, who is visually impaired, has worked for years as an advocate for women facing violence and, in 2007, co-founded the "Rahyab Organisation" with her husband to educate and empower visually impaired individuals in Afghanistan.
The statement from the US Department of State mentioned that Yaqoobi has consistently advocated for the differently abled and provided educational opportunities for visually impaired and blind children. According to the statement, Yaqoobi is currently in exile and continues to advocate for the rights of the disabled, blind children, and Afghan girls.
According to the US Department of State announcement, along with Yaqoobi, 11 other women and a group from around the world have also been recognised with this award.
Among them, Fariba Baluch, a human rights activist from Iran, has also been awarded.
The US Department of State's International Women of Courage Award has been presented annually since 2017 to women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.
Last year, Zakera Hekmat, an Afghan doctor and refugee advocate, was the recipient of this award.
Zarifa Yaqubi, an Afghan female activist who was imprisoned for about 41 days by the Taliban, has disclosed distressing details about the "horrible torture" of female prisoners.
Yaqubi, who was detained on November 3, 2023, along with four colleagues as they sought to announce the existence of a women's movement, spent 41 days in Taliban custody.
Currently residing in Canada, she addressed a press conference on Thursday, following the submission of the petition by a group of Iranian and Afghan activists urging the criminalisation of gender apartheid.
Yaqubi said that following the takeover of power by the Taliban, she protested "for justice and rights", but the Taliban arrested her because she was "a woman, a Shia, and a Hazara".
She revealed that during her imprisonment, the Taliban subjected her to severe mental and physical torture. “Its effects still hurt my soul and I still take medicine to forget those days," said Yaqubi.
During the press conference, Yaqubi shared details of her experience in the Taliban prison, highlighting that it commenced with insulting her ethnicity and sect, and then, they took her to the "place of torture" by grabbing her "hair".
She further disclosed that she lost consciousness due to the "electric shocks and kicks" inflicted by the Taliban. Despite that, Yaqubi considers herself fortunate. She explained, "From the walls and ceiling, you could hear the voices of women in tears, pleading, “torture me, but don't take my clothes, and don't subject me to rape."
Yaqubi stated that there are no health services in Taliban prisons, and she was not allowed to take a bath during her 41 days in prison.
According to her, she was not allowed to meet her family either.
Yaqubi mentioned other women prisoners who had a similar fate in the Taliban prison and women who are still there, such as Manizha Siddiqi.
This Afghan women's rights activist said that history will judge that the world today has forgotten the women and girls of Afghanistan.
She asked Canada to stand by Afghan women and take the lead in recognising gender apartheid in this country.
During the two and a half years of their rule, the Taliban has detained several women activists who protested against the policies of the group.
Human rights organisations, including UNAMA, have confirmed reports of torture of prisoners in Taliban prisons.
Submitting a petition to criminalise gender apartheid
A group of Afghan and Iranian activists have submitted a request to the Canadian Parliament, urging for the criminalisation of gender apartheid.
The request was submitted by Ali Ehsassi, a representative of the Canadian Parliament, who has stated that gender apartheid is a crime against humanity.
This petition was prepared by two organisations defending women's rights in Canada.
Members from two women's rights organisations, accompanied by former women representatives from the Afghan Parliament, as well as Afghan and Iranian activists, attended the Canadian Parliament on Thursday. They met with 10 members from the House of Representatives and the Canadian Senate, to discuss the petition.
These activists also met Jacqueline O'Neill, Canada's ambassador for women and security, and several officials of the country's foreign ministry.
A group of Afghan and Iranian activists have submitted a request to the Canadian Parliament, urging for the criminalisation of gender apartheid.
The request was submitted by Ali Ehsassi, a representative of the Canadian Parliament, who has stated that gender apartheid is a crime against humanity.
This petition was prepared by two organisations defending women's rights in Canada.
In the petition by these institutions and the activists, it has been stated that Canada can play a central role in raising global awareness and gaining international support to eliminate organised discrimination against women and girls in Afghanistan and other countries.
They asked the Canadian government to support the plan and implementation of a legal framework at the United Nations that addresses the issue of gender apartheid.
According to these activists, the framework should put forward explicit obligations and mechanisms aimed at preventing gender discrimination.
They are also urging Canada to collaborate with the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in formulating a "general recommendation" that acknowledges international obligations to prevent gender apartheid.
Additionally, the activist called for Canada's support for a new UN convention that would criminalise gender apartheid.
Members from two women's rights organisations, accompanied by former women representatives from the Afghan Parliament, as well as Afghan and Iranian activists, attended the Canadian Parliament on Thursday. They met with 10 members from the House of Representatives and the Canadian Senate, to discuss the petition.
They asked these representatives for their support in expediting the International Criminal Court's investigation into the actions of the Taliban. The activists emphasised on the critical need to investigate gender-based harassment within the Taliban regime as a crime against humanity.
On Thursday, Ali Ehsassi formally introduced the petition from Afghan and Canadian institutions and activists in the Canadian Parliament. The parliamentary session coincided with a significant call from Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, urging member states to submit a complaint against the Taliban to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
Bennett emphasised that the Taliban's actions constitute sexual harassment and persecution of Afghan women, categorising it as an instance of a crime against humanity.
Gender apartheid has not been criminalised in the international laws, but Afghan and Iranian activists with the support of figures such as Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate; Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace laureate; and Sima Samar, the former head of Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, requested this.
In its two-and-a-half-year rule, the Taliban has imposed extensive restrictions on women’s rights, including social activity, employment, education, and travel.
Numerous domestic and international activists, as well as human rights experts, believe that the Taliban's directives and treatment of Afghan women and girls exemplify a form of "gender apartheid”.
In response to the question of Afghanistan International’s reporter, Matthew Miller, US State Department spokesperson, said that the Doha agreement empowered the Taliban and weakened Afghan partners.
Marzia Hosseini, a reporter for Afghanistan International, citied remarks from several US experts and diplomats who labeled the Doha Agreement as "the worst agreement in the diplomatic history of the United States”. Hosseini asked Miller if the time had come to declare this agreement invalid.
Miller said that the deal forced the United States to withdraw troops without a clear plan for what should come next.
On August 30, 2021, the United States withdrew all its forces from Afghanistan during a challenging operation. Despite criticisms from various politicians, soldiers, and representatives in the US Congress, who view the withdrawal as a significant political mistake for both the United States and the Biden administration, President Joe Biden has staunchly defended the move, characterising the exit operation as a tremendous success.
Miller accused the Taliban of not fulfilling their commitments in the Doha Agreement and stated that the group has sheltered terrorist groups, including the Al-Qaeda leader. Previously, Miller emphasised on the need for the Taliban to be held accountable for the escalating activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.
The US State Department spokesperson also highlighted the Taliban's lack of commitment to engage in intra-Afghan talks and establish an inclusive political system. He emphasised on holding the Taliban accountable for fulfilling their commitments.
In response, the Taliban spokesperson said that the formation of an inclusive government is no longer viable following the collapse of the previous administration. He added that this matter is now independent of any involvement or influence from the United States.
Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, emphasised on Thursday that engagement with the Taliban must be fundamentally rooted in the respect for human rights, particularly the rights of women.
Bennett presented a distressing overview of the human rights conditions in Afghanistan, denouncing the extensive torture and discrimination faced by women and ethnic groups.
During the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, Bennett delivered a six-month report characterising the human rights situation in Afghanistan as extremely critical. He underscored the importance of prioritising the Afghan populace, advocating for their needs and rights to lead the agenda.
Bennett voiced the apprehensions of the Afghan people regarding the potential normalisation of relationships with the Taliban by various countries, without any substantial improvement in the country's humanitarian crisis.
Highlighting Afghan Women's Rights
Bennett called for attention to the Taliban's egregious human rights violations, urging the international community to employ judicial measures to ensure gender, ethnic, and religious justice in Afghanistan.
He reminded the members of Afghanistan's commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and called upon member states to hold the Taliban accountable at the International Court of Justice in The Hague for violating this convention.
He reported that the Taliban's suppression and exclusion of women and girls amount to "sexual harassment," a crime against humanity under international law. While some have labeled these actions as "gender apartheid," Bennett chose not to use this term explicitly. Nevertheless, he stressed on the Taliban's systematic discrimination aimed at asserting total control over Afghan women and girls.
The UN Special Rapporteur demanded accountability from the Taliban for their policies and deeds and urged for global efforts to swiftly support Afghan women and girls. He also highlighted the increasing instances of suicide and depression among women and girls, exacerbated by the enforcement of the Taliban's strict dress code, labelling it as a significant stressor for women in Afghanistan.
Violations of Civil Liberties
Bennett observed that the Taliban's intolerance towards dissent has significantly restricted civic space in Afghanistan. He called for the immediate release of detained educators, human rights advocates, journalists, and artists, including Fahim Azizi, Manizha Siddiqi, and Sadiqullah Afghan, from Taliban custody.
Torture and Inhumane Punishment
The Special Rapporteur confirmed the Taliban's policy of detaining and torturing security forces, noting their disregard for a general amnesty previously declared for former government officials and security forces. He detailed instances of torture, prisoner mistreatment, and degrading punishments that violate human dignity, including public executions and lashings, which contravene Afghanistan's international obligations.
Pressure on Ethnic and Religious Minorities
Bennett highlighted the increased pressures faced by ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan, particularly the Hazara Shia community, which has seen a rise in targeted attacks by ISIS. It seems that the efforts of Hazara activists and their allies in bringing international attention to the discrimination against this community, including through "Hazara genocide" campaigns have been important in their plight for justice.
Children's plight under Taliban Rule
Bennett addressed the ban on education for girls above the sixth grade and the deteriorating conditions for Afghan children. He pointed out that this educational ban has led to an increase in child labour, forced and underage marriages.
Expressing shock at the high rates of suicide among young girls in southern Afghanistan, Bennett revealed that some reports indicate that half of these suicides occur among young girls.
At the Human Rights Council session, member countries unanimously criticised the Taliban's human rights record. Even Pakistan, a long-standing ally of the Taliban, expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights conditions under their rule. Other Muslim nations, including Iran, Turkey, and Indonesia, demanded an end to the Taliban's discriminatory policies against women in education and employment, challenging the Taliban's justification of these policies as aligning with Sharia and Afghan cultural values.
Bennett concluded by noting that the Taliban's stance on Sharia law complicates the plight of Afghan women, calling for international action to address these pressing human rights issues.
Karine Jean-Pierre, White House spokesperson, has said that the Doha agreement empowered the Taliban and weakened the Afghan government.
On Wednesday, which aligns with the fourth anniversary of the Doha Agreement, Jean-Pierre said that the Taliban have not fulfilled their obligations in the agreement.
The Doha Agreement, signed on February 29, 2020, between the United States and the Taliban, is viewed by high-ranking officials of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan as the primary catalyst for the collapse of the former government in this country.
During the press conference, Jean-Pierre stated, “The Taliban has also not fulfilled their Doha commitment to engage in a meaningful dialogue with fellow Afghans leading to a negotiated settlement and inclusive political system.”
She emphasised that the US would continue to hold the Taliban to fulfill their commitments.
Nevertheless, the Taliban has said that they have fulfilled their obligations under the Doha Agreement.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the group's spokesperson, stated on Thursday to Radio Television Afghanistan, now under Taliban control, that "the general principles of the Doha Agreement have been implemented, and certain aspects of it have been violated by the US”.