UN Urges Taliban to Uphold Global Human Rights Commitments

December 10 marks International Human Rights Day, commemorated worldwide in honor of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris in 1948. This declaration is recognized as one of the most fundamental international documents safeguarding human dignity and rights.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a statement issued on the occasion, expressed concern over the state of human rights in the country—particularly the restrictions on education and employment for Afghan women and girls. The statement emphasized that the Taliban administration must take concrete steps to adhere to its global human rights obligations.

UNAMA stressed that respect for human rights is an integral part of modern governance and that any curtailment of freedoms not only contradicts human values but also hinders social progress and sustainable development.

Human rights experts believe that adhering to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights could pave the way for greater engagement between Afghanistan and the international community. However, the Taliban’s continued restrictive policies toward women and girls are considered a major obstacle to achieving these goals.