Ireland Says Taliban Policies Deepening Afghanistan’s Human Rights Crisis

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has voiced concern over the continued violation of human rights in Afghanistan on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban administration’s return to power, saying women and girls have faced a “horrific campaign” of discriminatory violence, abuse and deprivation over the past five years.

In a statement on Saturday, the ministry said the Taliban administration’s restrictions on education, employment, freedom of movement and the presence of women and girls in public life violate human dignity. According to Ireland’s foreign affairs and trade minister, the consequences of these policies are not limited to women, and vulnerable groups and minorities have also been deeply harmed.

The statement said the Hazaras and other vulnerable groups, including gender minorities, face “systematic and degrading” abuse. Ireland’s foreign minister stressed that the country will use all available international and European forums to try to end discriminatory practices and protect the rights of all Afghans.

Ireland also said accountability for human rights violations is essential and announced that it supports international efforts to establish and operationalise an independent UN investigative mechanism on Afghanistan. The country said the purpose of this mechanism is to document human rights violations and hold those responsible to account.

Ireland’s foreign affairs and trade minister said the country will also use its rotating presidency of the European Union to keep global attention focused on the situation in Afghanistan. He stressed the need for continued international pressure on the Taliban administration and said this pressure should focus on ending repressive measures and restoring the full rights and dignity of all Afghans.

Elsewhere in the statement, it said the people of Afghanistan continue to face a deep humanitarian crisis because of the Taliban administration’s policies. Ireland said it will continue supporting vulnerable communities inside Afghanistan as well as Afghan refugees in the region.

According to the statement, Ireland has allocated more than 20 million euros in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan since 2020. The assistance has gone, among others, to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Fund, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and Concern Worldwide.

Ireland also said it will continue supporting people fleeing persecution through its refugee support programme. The country reiterated that it stands with the people of Afghanistan and will not back away from its call for the complete repeal of the Taliban administration’s discriminatory and repressive policies.

Ireland is one of the European Union member states that in recent years has, in its official positions, emphasised the rights of women, minorities and international accountability for the situation in Afghanistan.