The United States has expressed concern about the human rights situation in Afghanistan, noting significant deterioration in women’s rights in 2023 due to edicts restricting access to education and employment.
However, the Taliban brushed aside the US concern and reaffirmed its commitment to the rights of people in line with the Shariah law.
In its annual (2023) report on human rights in Afghanistan, the State Department said: “No decree or directive pertaining to women and girls’ education, or work, was reversed or softened.
“The Taliban did not purport to formally change existing laws as legislated by the Republic-era government; however, they promulgated edicts that contradicted those laws and were inconsistent with Afghanistan’s obligations under international conventions.”
This report referred to significant human rights issues, including “severe physical abuse; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; unjust detentions and abductions…”
It also spoke of disappearances; serious problems with independence of the judiciary; political prisoners or detainees; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; punishment of family members for alleged offences of a relatives.”
The report alleged abuses in a conflict, including widespread civilian deaths or harm, disappearances, abductions, severe physical abuse, unlawful recruitment or use of children in armed conflicts.
The State Department also cited restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom and censorship and serious curbs on internet freedom.”
It also focused on other restrictions such as freedom of movement and residence and harassment of domestic and international human rights organisations.
Meanwhile, Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for Taliban, responded: “The people of Afghanistan are all Muslim and their rights are respected in light of the Sharia law and Islamic principles.”
In an audio clip aired by the National Radio Television (RTA), Mujahid said: “What is defined as culture and human rights in America and other Western countries is different from Afghanistan. The west should not impose its culture on other countries.”
This annual report, which is prepared every year since 1977 at the request of US Congress, is related to the situation of human rights in nearly 200 countries. This year it covers the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Sudan civil war, Gaza Strip and the human rights situation in various countries.
sa/mud
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