OHCHR / BACHELET AFGHANISTAN

Afghanistan has entered a new and perilous phase, with many Afghans profoundly concerned for their human rights, particularly women, and ethnic and religious communities, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said today (13 Sep).

SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“Facing deepening humanitarian and economic crisis, the country has entered a new and perilous phase, with many Afghans profoundly concerned for their human rights, particularly women, ethnic and religious communities.”

In an update to the UN Human Right Council in Geneva, Bachelet said her Office had received credible allegations of reprisal killings by the Taliban, and reports of officials who worked for previous administrations and their family members being arbitrarily detained. There should be immediate accountability for reprisal killings and other human rights abuses, the High Commissioner said.

SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“Although the Taliban has issued public statements purporting to grant amnesty to former security personnel and civil servants; prohibiting house-to-house searches; and assuring women’s rights under Islamic law, information that we have cross-checked to the extent possible, and which we assess to be well-founded, indicates that practice on the ground has often contradicted these stated commitments.”

Contrary to Taliban assurances that they would uphold women’s rights, women have instead been progressively excluded from the public sphere over the last three weeks, Bachelet highlighted.

SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“My Office has received credible allegations of reprisal killings of a number of former ANSF personnel and reports of officials, who worked for previous administrations, and their family members being arbitrarily detained. In some cases, the officials were released, and in others they were found dead.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“Reprisal killings and other human rights abuses should be met with immediate accountability, including for individuals ordering and directing such attacks.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“In addition, we have received multiple allegations of the Taliban conducting house-to-house searches looking for specific government officials and people who cooperated with US security forces and companies. These searches have reportedly taken place throughout the city of Kabul, as well as in Kandahar, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Gardez, Maimana, Samangan and elsewhere. A number of similar incidents have affected UN staff, who report increasing attacks and threats.”

Bachelet said she was dismayed by the lack of inclusivity of the so-called caretaker cabinet – which includes no women, and few non-Pashtuns.
The High Commissioner also said she was profoundly alarmed at the escalating humanitarian crisis and stressed that the rights of all Afghan refugees must be upheld.

SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“Importantly, and in contradiction to assurances that the Taliban would uphold women's rights, over the past three weeks women have instead been progressively excluded from the public sphere. In many areas they are prohibited from appearing in public places without a male chaperone. In numerous professional sectors, women face increasing restrictions.”

SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“Madame President I am dismayed by the lack of inclusivity of the so-called caretaker cabinet – which includes no women, and few non-Pashtuns. The overwhelming majority of Afghans do not seek further decades of conflict and division. They long for peace and stability, in a country where they and their children can prosper, and where they can contribute to a governance system that encourages meaningful participation of women and youth, and brings together the country’s ethnic and religious communities.”

She called on the Human Rights Council to establish a dedicated mechanism to monitor the evolving human rights situation throughout Afghanistan.

SOUNDBITE (English) Michelle Bachelet, High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations:
“I am also profoundly alarmed by the escalating humanitarian crisis. I call on all States to assist the United Nations and other actors with the provision of humanitarian assistance to the country, while remaining mindful that the provision of such assistance must be rooted in the respect and protection of human rights.”