Afghan Women Fed Up with Mere ‘Expressions of Concern,’ Demand Concrete Action
The Afghanistan Human Rights Defenders Committee has criticized the repetitive reactions of the international community, stating that Afghan women are no longer able to endure mere ‘expressions of concern’ and now need practical action and effective support more than ever.
In a statement released on Friday following recent events in Herat province, the committee wrote that over recent years, the phrase ‘expressions of concern’ has been repeated more than any other by the United Nations, its Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), and other international bodies regarding the situation of Afghan women.
According to the committee, although reporting, documenting human rights violations, and issuing official statements are part of the responsibilities of international organizations, these measures alone have not prevented the widespread deprivation of women’s fundamental rights—a deprivation that has reached unprecedented levels since the Taliban’s return to power.
The Afghanistan Human Rights Defenders Committee emphasized that the moral and political responsibility of the United Nations, member states, and international bodies goes beyond issuing statements. The international community must use all legal, diplomatic, and political tools to provide practical support to Afghan women. The committee warned that the continuation of the current approach, without tangible actions, will lead to ongoing violations of women’s rights and normalization of this situation.
