Amnesty International released its annual report in which it called attention to the situation of human rights, women’s rights, and restrictions on media in Afghanistan.
“Restrictions on women’s rights, freedom of the media and freedom of expression increased exponentially,” the report reads. “Institutions designed to support human rights were severely limited or shut down completely. Peaceful protesters faced arbitrary arrests, torture and enforced disappearance.”
The report also accused the international community of a double standard on the issue of human rights.
“We have seen a significant increase in violations of human rights and women’s rights in Afghanistan. The girls beyond grade six are now not allowed to go to school,” said Zaman Sultani, a researcher at Amnesty International South Asia.
US Secretary Antony Blinken at a Democracy Summit praised the bravery of Afghan women.
“In Afghanistan, in the face of the Taliban’s daily efforts to erase them from daily life, women are still protesting. They are still finding ways to document human rights abuses. They are still fighting for a brighter future for their country,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate’s political office in Qatar said that the rights of all citizens are ensured better now than at any time previously.
“Considering our capacity, we are committed to all types of human rights. The establishment of a trade center for women and separate chambers for commerce, are the initial steps in this regard,” said Suhail Shaheen, head of the Qatar-based political office of the Islamic Emirate.
However, a women’s rights activist, Suraya Paikan, said:
“International norms should be observed for the normalization of relations. The rights of the citizens should be considered inside Afghanistan. The relations with the people should be secured.”
The report also gives details about the refugees and displaced people in Afghanistan.
“At the beginning of the year, 3.8 million people were internally displaced in Afghanistan, living in precarious circumstances with limited ability to access their human rights,” the report reads.
