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OHCHR / BACHELET AFGHANISTAN
STORY: OHCHR / BACHELET AFGHANISTAN
TRT: 5:40
SOURCE: UNTV CH
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH/NATS
DATELINE: 24 AUGUST 2021, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
1. Wide shot, exterior, alley of flags - Palais des Nations Geneva
2. Wide shot: Room 20 Human Rights Council no audio
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“The rapid seizure of much of the country, including the capital, by the Taliban has raised grave fears of a return to past patterns of human rights violations, and stoked desperation among many Afghans.”
4. Med shot, Afghan representative no audio
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“In recent weeks, my Office has received harrowing and credible reports of the impact on civilians of violations of international humanitarian law, as well as violations and abuses of human rights, by the parties to the conflict.”
6. Med shot, Afghan representatives no audio
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“UNAMA's Protection of Civilians report from 1 January to 30 June this year already indicated an increase in civilian casualties of nearly 50 percent compared to the same period in 2020. Unquestionably, that toll further increased over the months of July and August.”
8. Med shot, representatives in room 20 no audio
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“In particular, we have also received credible reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law, and human rights abuses, taking place in many areas under effective Taliban control. They include, among others, summary executions of civilians and hors de combat members of the Afghan national security forces; restrictions on the rights of women – including their right to move around freely and girls' right to attend schools; recruitment of child soldiers; and repression of peaceful protest and expression of dissent.”
10. Med shot, representatives in room 20 no audio
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“There are grave fears for women, for journalists and for the new generation of civil society leaders who have emerged in the past years. Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and religious minorities are also at risk of violence and repression, given previous patterns of serious violations under Taliban rule and reports of killings and targeted attacks in recent months.”
12. Med shot, cameraman
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“The United Nations is committed to stay and deliver aid to those in greatest need, to support efforts to restore peace and stability and to promote the rights and dignity of all Afghans. With fundamental human rights in the balance, my Office will be working urgently to reinstate arrangements for monitoring human rights violations.”
14. Med shot, representative in room 20 no audio
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“In statements over the recent weeks, the Taliban has pledged to respect and protect human rights.
Taliban spokespeople have made specific commitments to respect women's right to work and girls' right to attend school, within the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law. They have also said they would respect the rights of members of ethnic and religious minorities, and refrain from reprisals against those who have worked with the Government or the international community.”
16. Wide shot, podium in room 20
17. SOUNDBITE (English): Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “The onus is now fully on the Taliban to translate these commitments into reality. In seizing effective control of much of the country, they must ensure, in those areas, ongoing respect for the international human rights commitments made by the State – as well as ensuring ongoing, and indeed heightened, provision of essential public services, without discrimination, to all. International human rights law is immutable. Enjoyment of human rights is not subject to changes in control of territory or de facto authority.”
18. Wide shot, podium in room 20
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“A fundamental red line will be the Taliban's treatment of women and girls, and respect for their rights to liberty, freedom of movement, education, self-expression and employment, guided by international human rights norms. In particular, ensuring access to quality secondary education for girls will be an essential indicator of commitment to human rights.”
20. Wide shot, Afghan representative no audio
21. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“There should be no reprisals and no sanctions against the thousands of human rights defenders who have contributed to their people's well-being and rights. The mandate, operations and independence of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission should be respected.”
22. Med shot, Afghan representatives no audio
23. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I call on all States to create safe pathways for Afghan refugees and migrants, broaden asylum and resettlement programs and immediately halt the deportation of Afghans who seek protection. Neighbouring countries will need additional financial and logistical resources to assist refugees – and all States must be mindful of their obligation to give protection and assistance to those fleeing danger.”
24. Med shot, Afghan representatives no audio
25. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I urge this Council to take bold and vigorous action, commensurate with the gravity of this crisis, by establishing a dedicated mechanism to closely monitor the evolving human rights situation in Afghanistan, including – in particular – the Taliban's implementation of its promises, with a focus on prevention.”
26. Wide shot, Room 20 Human Rights Council no audio
27. SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“United and unequivocal action by Member States will be an important signal to the Taliban that a return to past practices will not find acceptance in the international community – neither now, nor in the future. The Afghan people have come too far for such an outcome to ever be tolerable.”
28. Wide shot, Room 20 Human Rights Council
During a Human Rights Council special session today (24 Aug) on “the serious human rights concerns and situation in Afghanistan,” the High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Council members to establish a dedicated mechanism to closely monitor the evolving human rights situation in Afghanistan
Michelle Bachelet, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said there were credible reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses taking place in many areas under effective Taliban control such as summary executions of civilians, restrictions on the rights of women, including their right to move freely and girls’ right to attend schools, recruitment of child soldiers, and more. Many people now feared reprisals by the Taliban against those working with the Government or the international community; people who had worked to advance human rights and justice; or those whose lifestyles and opinions were simply perceived to be opposed to the Taliban ideology. Over the recent weeks, the Taliban had pledged to respect and protect human rights, such as women’s right to work and girls’ right to attend schools, within the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law. The onus was now fully on the Taliban to translate this commitment to reality – they must ensure fundamental human rights and the provision of public services to all.
Bachellet strongly urged the Taliban to uphold human rights. The Taliban’s treatment of women and girls would represent a fundamental red line and ensuring the provision of secondary education to girls was a key indicator of their commitment. There must be no reprisals against human rights defenders. She urged the Council to take bold and deliberate action by establishing a dedicated mechanism to closely monitor the evolving human rights situation in Afghanistan, including, in particular, the Taliban’s implementation of its promises, with a focus on prevention.
The High Commissioner’s statements are the following:
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“The rapid seizure of much of the country, including the capital, by the Taliban has raised grave fears of a return to past patterns of human rights violations, and stoked desperation among many Afghans.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“In recent weeks, my Office has received harrowing and credible reports of the impact on civilians of violations of international humanitarian law, as well as violations and abuses of human rights, by the parties to the conflict.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“UNAMA's Protection of Civilians report from 1 January to 30 June this year already indicated an increase in civilian casualties of nearly 50 percent compared to the same period in 2020. Unquestionably, that toll further increased over the months of July and August.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“In particular, we have also received credible reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law, and human rights abuses, taking place in many areas under effective Taliban control. They include, among others, summary executions of civilians and hors de combat members of the Afghan national security forces; restrictions on the rights of women – including their right to move around freely and girls' right to attend schools; recruitment of child soldiers; and repression of peaceful protest and expression of dissent.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“There are grave fears for women, for journalists and for the new generation of civil society leaders who have emerged in the past years. Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and religious minorities are also at risk of violence and repression, given previous patterns of serious violations under Taliban rule and reports of killings and targeted attacks in recent months.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“The United Nations is committed to stay and deliver aid to those in greatest need, to support efforts to restore peace and stability and to promote the rights and dignity of all Afghans. With fundamental human rights in the balance, my Office will be working urgently to reinstate arrangements for monitoring human rights violations.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“In statements over the recent weeks, the Taliban has pledged to respect and protect human rights.Taliban spokespeople have made specific commitments to respect women's right to work and girls' right to attend school, within the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic law. They have also said they would respect the rights of members of ethnic and religious minorities, and refrain from reprisals against those who have worked with the Government or the international community.”
SOUNDBITE (English)Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“The onus is now fully on the Taliban to translate these commitments into reality. In seizing effective control of much of the country, they must ensure, in those areas, ongoing respect for the international human rights commitments made by the State – as well as ensuring ongoing, and indeed heightened, provision of essential public services, without discrimination, to all.
International human rights law is immutable. Enjoyment of human rights is not subject to changes in control of territory or de facto authority.”
Significant advances in human rights over the past two decades have given the people of Afghanistan a strong stake in a society that values and defends human rights.
Civil society organisations have flourished across the country. Women have assumed public roles and leadership positions in the media and across society. In 2021, 27 percent of members of parliament and one fifth of civil servants were women. Some 3.5 million girls were attending schools – compared to 1999, when no girls could attend secondary school and only 9,000 were enrolled in primary education.
Human rights defenders have contributed to the economic, political and social development of their communities across the country. A courageous and independent national human rights institution has played a front-line role. A plurality of voices has been reflected in a flourishing and diverse media. Youth movements across the country have empowered young women and men from diverse ethnic and religious communities. A generation of young people has grown up with hope for a better future, and the knowledge of free, individual choice, while also being deeply attached to Afghanistan's cultural and religious traditions.
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“A fundamental red line will be the Taliban's treatment of women and girls, and respect for their rights to liberty, freedom of movement, education, self-expression and employment, guided by international human rights norms. In particular, ensuring access to quality secondary education for girls will be an essential indicator of commitment to human rights.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“There should be no reprisals and no sanctions against the thousands of human rights defenders who have contributed to their people's well-being and rights. The mandate, operations and independence of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission should be respected.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I call on all States to create safe pathways for Afghan refugees and migrants, broaden asylum and resettlement programs and immediately halt the deportation of Afghans who seek protection. Neighbouring countries will need additional financial and logistical resources to assist refugees – and all States must be mindful of their obligation to give protection and assistance to those fleeing danger.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I urge this Council to take bold and vigorous action, commensurate with the gravity of this crisis, by establishing a dedicated mechanism to closely monitor the evolving human rights situation in Afghanistan, including – in particular – the Taliban's implementation of its promises, with a focus on prevention.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“United and unequivocal action by Member States will be an important signal to the Taliban that a return to past practices will not find acceptance in the international community – neither now, nor in the future. The Afghan people have come too far for such an outcome to ever be tolerable.”
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