Malaysia, Türkiye and Australia Call for End to Taliban Restrictions
DID Press: Representatives of Malaysia, Türkiye and Australia at the United Nations have expressed concern over the human rights situation in Afghanistan, calling for an end to Taliban restrictions on women and girls and increased international efforts to improve conditions in the country.
Malaysia’s representative to the United Nations said Taliban bans on women’s education, employment and social participation had put their role in Afghanistan’s future at risk. He urged the Taliban to uphold the rights of women and girls and lift the restrictions imposed on them.
The Malaysian diplomat also expressed concern over the situation of children in Afghanistan and welcomed rehabilitation programmes for children who have been involved in armed conflicts. He stressed that no child should be used in military operations.
Malaysia’s representative called on the international community to engage constructively with Afghanistan, saying his country remained committed to supporting the process, implementing capacity-building programmes and providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.
Meanwhile, Türkiye’s representative to the United Nations described education as a human right and stressed that everyone should have access to it without discrimination.
He said Afghanistan’s future depended on access to education for all citizens, including girls, and that the country’s development would not be possible without women’s presence and participation and their right to education.
Türkiye’s representative also described the ban on women working in United Nations offices and international organizations as “deeply concerning” and called on the international community to take practical steps to improve the human rights situation in Afghanistan. He added that Türkiye provides assistance to the Afghan people through international organizations.
Australia’s representative also expressed concern over what he described as the Taliban’s “systematic suppression of human rights,” saying the group had imposed broad restrictions on citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms since returning to power.
He said women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities, and other social groups had been affected by these policies, adding that the Taliban had issued numerous decrees and orders restricting women from participating in public life, education and employment.
Australia’s representative also expressed concern over Taliban interference in the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those most in need and said his country had imposed sanctions on the Taliban.
He called for increased international pressure to hold the Taliban accountable and stressed that Australia would continue supporting international efforts to address the human rights situation in Afghanistan.