The United Nations emphasized today, Tuesday, during a press conference in Geneva regarding developments in Afghanistan, that "the Taliban must commit to respecting human rights." The UN reported "incidents of violations against women in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover" of most of the country. The UN called on the international community "to provide support to Afghans who are at risk."
The UN urged the Taliban to fulfill its "promises," including commitments to grant amnesty to former Afghan government employees, integrate women, and allow girls to continue their education. Robert Colville, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, told reporters today in Geneva, "The Taliban has made several statements that seem reassuring on the surface. But their actions speak louder than words, and it is still too early to make a judgment." He stated that the Taliban's promises "must be upheld."
Colville added, "Given their past history, these statements are expected to be met with some skepticism. But promises have been made, and whether they are kept or not, we will be watching closely." He referred to comments made by UN Secretary-General António Guterres yesterday about "horrific reports" of human rights violations and restrictions on rights—especially those concerning women and girls—in areas recently seized by the Taliban.
He also called on UN member states to "use their influence" with the Taliban to protect the lives of civilians. A representative from the Refugee Commission stated: "We call for protection for Afghan asylum seekers," warning of "violations of the rights of women and civilians in Afghanistan." The commission also noted "hundreds of thousands of Afghans who have been displaced due to the fighting."
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization stated during the conference that "Afghanistan is already suffering from deteriorating health conditions," adding that "vaccination efforts against COVID-19 have been greatly impacted" by recent field developments. The UNICEF organization reported that "children have been injured in Afghanistan due to fighting... 550 children have been killed or injured in Afghanistan from recent fighting... women and children in Afghanistan are paying the highest price" for developments in the country. It considered that "Afghanistan has become a difficult place to live for children," reaffirming its commitment to "continue providing services to the children of Afghanistan."
Similarly, the International Organization for Migration said it is following "with great concern" the situation in Afghanistan and its dire implications for displaced persons and civilians in need of humanitarian assistance. The organization urged all parties in a statement to continue efforts to maintain dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution of the situation in Afghanistan, stressing the importance of ensuring civilian safety and prioritizing it. The statement reiterated UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for an immediate end to violence and the protection of civilian rights in Afghanistan.
