The United Nations Human Rights Council on Wednesday adopted by consensus a European Union-led resolution renewing the mandate of the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan for a period of one year.
The resolution urges the Islamic Emirate to “reverse its policies and practices that restrict the enjoyment of human rights by people in Afghanistan, including by repealing the recent “Law on propagation of virtue and prevention of vice.”
It said that the law “institutionalizes a system of discrimination and oppression against women and girls that may amount to crimes against humanity.”
The resolution also called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to reverse its decision to ban entry of the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan.
It requested the envoy to prepare a report on access to justice and protection for women and girls and the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination thereon, and to present it to the Council at its fifty-ninth session.
“I will independently and impartially carry out the strengthened mandate, engage to make a difference for Afghans, and document and report on violations,” UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennet, said on X.
Human Rights Watch in a statement, said despite consistent appeals from human rights groups, including HRW, the resolution does not establish a mechanism to advance accountability for “grave human rights abuses” that have been committed in the country.
The Islamic Emirate has meanwhile said that it is committed to ensuring human rights including the rights of women and girls according to Sharia.
