By Farah Caidi / GICJ

More than ever, Afghanistan is still marked by an economic and humanitarian crisis that worsens every day. On June 15th, the 50th Human Rights Council held its 7th meeting to discuss the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

Michelle Bachelet, the High Commissioner for Human Rights presented her oral update following her visit to the country. In addition to the difficulties accessing basic necessities for a major part of the population, the High Commissioner stressed the aggravation of gender inequalities. Ms Bachelet described her first-hand discussion with Afghan women and de facto authorities and presented the situation to the Council as an “institutionalised systematic oppression of women”. 1.1 million secondary girls are indeed excluded from schools, despite Talibans’ promises.

The Afghan Representative further pressed the points mentioned by Michelle Bachelet, and insisted on “funding humanitarian needs without funding discriminations”.

The delegations collectively denounced the dire situation of women and girls and condemned the last decrees. These included banning girls over 12 from school, imposing strict regulations on women-wear, excluding them from employment and limiting their freedom of movement and mobility.

Geneva International Centre for Justice (GICJ) condemns the deteriorating global situation of all Afghans, particularly girls and women. We urgently call for de facto authorities to lift every decree that excludes girls and women from civil society, and most importantly the one prohibiting 6th-grade girls from attending school. We strongly urge the international community to undertake concrete measures to face the crisis, collectively.