Amnesty International Urges Focus on Rights of Afghanistan Minorities

DID Press: Amnesty International has welcomed the adoption of a new UN Human Rights Council resolution on Afghanistan and called for particular attention to the rights and situation of the country’s ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.

The rights group has also called for continued scrutiny of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, stressing the need for dedicated reporting and dialogue on their situation. Amnesty said the newly adopted resolution provides for a specific report on ethnic, religious and linguistically marginalized groups and communities.

Amnesty further called for the Taliban to be held accountable for human rights violations. In its statement, the organization said the Taliban must be held accountable and compelled to end what it described as abusive rules, measures and policies.

The Human Rights Council adopted the resolution on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan without a vote. The resolution also extends the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett for another year and calls for continued attention to the rights of women and girls.