UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has criticized the Taliban’s policies toward women and girls in Afghanistan, saying the group is violating international human rights obligations.
Speaking at a meeting in New York on the situation of women in Afghanistan, Türk said the Taliban had created what he described as a system of “gender apartheid” and domination over women.
According to his remarks, the Taliban have issued around 200 decrees and guidelines that have institutionalized restrictions affecting women and girls. Türk said these measures have contributed to normalizing the suppression of women and limiting their rights and freedoms.
The UN rights chief said he uses the term “gender apartheid” in relation to Afghanistan because he believes it helps highlight the reality faced by Afghan women and girls under the current system.
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on women and girls, including limits on education, employment, movement and participation in public life. The restrictions have drawn widespread criticism from the United Nations and international human rights organizations.
Türk’s comments come amid continued international calls for the Taliban to reverse policies that restrict the rights of women and girls and bring Afghanistan’s laws and practices into line with international human rights obligations.
The Taliban authorities have defended their policies as being based on their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan culture, while international bodies have continued to raise concerns about their impact on women and girls.