The Human Rights Council of the UN has decided to appoint a Special Rapporteur to monitor the situation of human rights as it develops in Afghanistan.
The decision came following the European Union winning its battle at the UN Human Rights Council to create a new special rapporteur on Afghanistan, despite opposition from China, Russia, and Pakistan. The rapporteur will be responsible for monitoring the rights situation in the country following the Taliban takeover, with a mandate to, inter alia, seek, receive, examine and act on information from all relevant stakeholders pertaining to the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.
“This is an essential step to ensure continued monitoring, through a dedicated and independent expert, and to help prevent a further deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan,” said Lotte Knudsen, the EU’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.
“The rights of women and girls are of particular concern to us. The actions of the Taliban directed against women and girls and the violation of their rights is highly worrying.”
The resolution creating the 12-month post was tabled with backing from the United States and the envoy appointed by the former Afghan government before the Taliban seized power. The resolution also calls for an immediate end to all human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Afghanistan. It also calls for respect for fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression. In addition, the text condemns discrimination against women and girls, including forced marriages, and calls for an inclusive and representative government.
The rapporteur is expected to submit a written report to the council within a year.
The decision came following the European Union winning its battle at the UN Human Rights Council to create a new special rapporteur on Afghanistan, despite opposition from China, Russia, and Pakistan. The rapporteur will be responsible for monitoring the rights situation in the country following the Taliban takeover, with a mandate to, inter alia, seek, receive, examine and act on information from all relevant stakeholders pertaining to the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.
“This is an essential step to ensure continued monitoring, through a dedicated and independent expert, and to help prevent a further deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan,” said Lotte Knudsen, the EU’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.
“The rights of women and girls are of particular concern to us. The actions of the Taliban directed against women and girls and the violation of their rights is highly worrying.”
The resolution creating the 12-month post was tabled with backing from the United States and the envoy appointed by the former Afghan government before the Taliban seized power. The resolution also calls for an immediate end to all human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law in Afghanistan. It also calls for respect for fundamental freedoms, including the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression. In addition, the text condemns discrimination against women and girls, including forced marriages, and calls for an inclusive and representative government.
The rapporteur is expected to submit a written report to the council within a year.
