UNAMA Calls On Taliban To Lift Restrictions On Afghan Women

The organisation emphasised the Afghan women’s ongoing struggle for rights despite severe restrictions.

HRW also urged stronger protections for Afghan women seeking asylum and the creation of a safe and legal resettlement process.

In a statement issued on Friday, 8 March, HRW commended Afghan women’s resistance against Taliban rule over the past three years.

Sahar Fetrat, a researcher at HRW, highlighted that Afghan women continue to fight for their rights despite facing torture and severe punishment for their activism.

HRW also recognised key achievements by Afghan women protesters, including legal action by four major European countries seeking to prosecute the Taliban at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, and the ICC prosecutor’s request for an arrest warrant against the Taliban leader on charges of crimes against humanity.

HRW also noted that in October 2023, the European Court of Justice ruled that all Afghan women are eligible for asylum in EU countries due to the Taliban’s systematic persecution.

The organisation also stressed that backing Afghan women and their allies has strengthened international efforts to classify gender apartheid as a crime under international law.

HRW has urged international courts and the global community to implement legal processes to hold the Taliban accountable and ensure justice for Afghan women.

The statement underscores the pressing need for sustained international efforts to address the Taliban’s systematic oppression and support Afghan women in their continued fight for rights and dignity.

However, the Taliban’s Minister of Refugees, Abdul Kabir, has urged Iran and Pakistan to implement a structured and gradual repatriation process, rather than resorting to forced deportations.

Alireza Bikdeli, Iran’s Ambassador to Kabul, met with Abdul Kabir to discuss Iran’s policies on Afghan migrants. Following the meeting, the Iranian Embassy stated “An agreement was reached on cooperation for the return of undocumented Afghan nationals from Iran.”

The Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees also issued a statement confirming Abdul Kabir’s meetings with Iranian and Pakistani diplomats. The ministry reported that in his discussions with the Iranian Ambassador and Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires, Abdul Kabir urged both countries to treat Afghan migrants with patience and tolerance.

During the meeting, Abdul Kabir expressed concerns over the increasing mistreatment of Afghan migrants in both Iran and Pakistan in recent months. He stated “We expect host countries to adhere to international refugee principles and treat Afghans with humanity and in accordance with Islamic values.”

The Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees further emphasised that while the Taliban encourages Afghan migrants to return home, the current conditions in Afghanistan require that host countries manage repatriation gradually and systematically to avoid forced deportations.

Iranian officials have stated that the country is currently hosting over six million Afghan migrants, of whom more than two million are undocumented and required to leave.

The Islamic Republic of Iran deported over one million Afghan migrants last year, yet 50% of them later returned to Iran, reflecting ongoing challenges in managing Afghan migration and repatriation.

During a press briefing, Bruce cited the recent arrest of Sharifullah, the alleged mastermind behind the August 2021 Kabul Airport attack, as evidence of the importance of U.S.-Pakistan counterterrorism collaboration.

On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump, in his speech at a joint session of Congress, announced that Sharifullah, the key planner of the deadly Kabul airport bombing, was captured with Pakistan’s cooperation.

The August 26, 2021 suicide bombing, carried out by ISIS, occurred amid the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. forces and the evacuation of Afghans from Kabul Airport. The attack killed approximately 160 Afghan civilians and 13 U.S. soldiers.

Trump and other U.S. officials described Sharifullah’s capture as a relief for the families of the fallen U.S. soldiers and a step toward justice. They also expressed gratitude to the Pakistani government for its role in his arrest.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier confirmed that Mohammad Sharifullah is an Afghan citizen who was arrested during an operation near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

Following his detention in Pakistan, Sharifullah was transferred to the United States for further legal proceedings.

Sharei is attending the Global Conference for Building Bridges Between Islamic Schools of Thought and Sects.

The two-day conference brings together scholars and religious figures from various Islamic nations. The Taliban’s Deputy Spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, confirmed on Friday that Sharei participated in the event.

Recently, Afghanistan International reported that Sharei had travelled to Dubai and was allegedly considering resigning from his position as Justice Minister.

Afghanistan International obtained an audio recording in which Sharei expressed frustration over widespread corruption and ethnic nepotism within the Taliban leadership. In the recording, he claimed to have repeatedly attempted to resign in protest but stated that his resignation had been rejected.

In response to the Afghanistan International report, the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice denied that Sharei had resigned. The ministry confirmed that he had travelled to Dubai but insisted that his trip was for medical treatment under the directive of Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Officials stated that Sharei would soon return and resume his duties.

The last official statement from the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice regarding Sharei was issued on 19 January, and no public updates had been provided about him until now.

The Taliban have not disclosed details about his illness, nor is it clear when he travelled to Saudi Arabia for the conference.

Abdul Hakim Sharei is on the global sanctions list, and in 2023, the European Union sanctioned him for systematically depriving Afghan women of work and education.

Alongside him, the Taliban’s Minister of Education and Chief Justice were also sanctioned for gender-based violence.

The EU’s sanctions report accused Sharei of restructuring Afghanistan’s judicial system to oppress women, stating that he revoked women’s law licenses, denied women access to legal representation, and blocked the enforcement of laws against gender-based violence

The report further noted that his policies had left Afghan women in a legal void, contributing to widespread human rights violations and obstructing justice and equality.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, Asif highlighted the U.S. commitment to reclaiming these weapons, calling it a positive step. He asserted that the rise in terrorist attacks in Pakistan is directly linked to the use of American weapons now in militant hands.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stressed the need to recover American military equipment from the Taliban. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry echoed this position on Thursday, stating its full support for the U.S. initiative. Additionally, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister backed the decision in discussions with the U.S. National Security Advisor.

Addressing the spike in terrorist attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Asif blamed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, ex-Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and former ISI Chief General Faiz Hameed for supporting militant groups.

He reiterated that Pakistan remains the biggest victim of terrorism and continues to lead efforts against extremist threats.

Pakistani officials have long accused the Afghan Taliban of backing Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), alleging that TTP militants are using U.S. weapons to threaten Pakistan’s security.

These statements come amid growing tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban. While Islamabad pushes for the retrieval of U.S. weaponry, the Taliban have rejected any possibility of returning the arms, insisting that they are “war spoils” and will not be surrendered under any circumstances.