Horia Mosadiq urges UN Human Rights Council to act against Taliban's gender apartheid in Afghanista

Addressing the UN Human Rights Council, famous Afghan human rights activist Horia Mosadiq delivered a powerful speech calling for urgent action against the Taliban’s gender apartheid and systematic human rights violations in Afghanistan. Mosadiq emphasized the critical need for accountability and international intervention, especially in light of the severe repression of women and minorities under Taliban rule.

Mosadiq began by outlining the dire situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, highlighting the rapid erosion of human rights, particularly for women and girls. "Afghanistan is now the only country on Earth where girls beyond the sixth grade are not allowed to attend school," she said, underscoring the widespread gender discrimination.

Referring to Afghanistan as the sole country enforcing "gender apartheid," Mosadiq expressed alarm at the lack of legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms in place to protect human rights. 

She pointed to the Taliban's issuance of over 100 decrees, many of which specifically target women’s rights, such as the law on the "Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" which has further entrenched gender persecution.

Mosadiq’s speech urged the UN Human Rights Council to:

1. Establish a clear accountability mechanism to monitor and investigate human rights violations by the Taliban.
2. Strengthen the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, ensuring access and resources to document abuses.
3. Recognize "gender apartheid" as a crime under international law and seek justice for victims.
4. Implement targeted sanctions on Taliban leaders responsible for the most egregious violations.
5. Demand the immediate restoration of women’s rights, including access to education and public life, as a precondition for any engagement with the Taliban.
6. Provide greater support to Afghan civil society organizations, particularly those led by women.
7. Ensure protection and asylum for Afghan refugees, human rights defenders, and journalists at risk of persecution.

She concluded by stressing the urgency of international action, warning that inaction would embolden the Taliban and deepen the crisis in Afghanistan. "We owe it to the Afghan people, especially women and girls, to be their voice in this Council," Mosadiq stated, urging solidarity and decisive action to restore their rights and secure their future.