UN Special Rapporteur Condemns Widespread Violations of Women’s Rights in Afghanistan under Taliban Law
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan has strongly condemned the violation of women’s rights through the Taliban’s couple separation law, which leaves women no way out of abusive relationships. She emphasized that this law even permits child marriages, with severely critical consequences.
She also stressed the necessity of global support for the Afghan people and defending their rights, warning that engagement with the Taliban authorities should not lead to unconditional legitimization of their rule without measurable, independent improvements in human rights.
The Special Rapporteur welcomed the issuance of four arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court against Taliban leaders, calling it a significant step towards accountability for human rights violations. She urged governments to back related international and national mechanisms and to expedite legal actions under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
She also highlighted efforts to recognize gender apartheid as an international crime and underlined the need for sustained political will and international cooperation to hold human rights violators accountable.
In another part of her report, the Special Rapporteur called on the Taliban and Pakistan to respect international humanitarian and human rights laws and to ensure the protection of civilian lives. She emphasized the necessity of independent investigations and accountability for harm to civilians resulting from ongoing conflicts between the two countries.
This UN official further urged the international community to continue humanitarian aid and sustained support for critical sectors such as education, health, mine clearance, media, and civil society organizations, especially women-led programs.
Afghanistan has witnessed extensive restrictions on women’s rights in recent years, particularly under Taliban rule, and the couple separation law is just one of the measures severely undermining women’s status. The ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants against Taliban leaders is a rare but essential move toward accountability for human rights crimes in the country.
