On The repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women

B90188/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on The repressive environment in Afghanistan, including public executions and violence against women

(2024/2617(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Afghanistan,

– having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Afghanistan under the Taliban’s regime remains the most repressive country in the world for women’s rights, with numerous unprecedented restrictions on women’s rights; whereas Afghan women are deprived of their livelihoods, identity, education, employment, leisure, travel, sports and equal access to humanitarian aid; whereas the recent decision to ban women from working for non-governmental organizations has led to more than 100 civil society groups being unable to function fully ; whereas women cannot travel more than 75 kilometres without a male guardian, practice any kind of sport and are banned from public baths, restaurants and parks;

B. whereas United Nations experts have called for the Taliban to be investigated and held accountable for relentless brutal oppression against woman in Afghanistan;

C. whereas since January 2023 there have been at least 1,977 documented claims of human rights breaches involving killings, arbitrary detentions and torture of women confirming a gradual rise in cases targeting women;

D. whereas the de facto Supreme Court in Afghanistan welcomes in its Constitution women’s punishments including stoning, flogging, burying under a wall and public executions;

F. whereas woman human rights defender Manizha Seddiqi disappeared on 9 October 2023 and later was found in Taliban custody without charges; whereas she does not have access to lawyers or family visits while in prison and is at risk of torture;

G. whereas on 31 December 2022 women and girls in the Shia/Hazara and Tajik communities were arrested for not wearing a Hijab;

1. Condemns the brutal and undignified nature of the punishments perpetrated against women by the Taliban regime under Sharia law as well as deeply entrenched discrimination and stereotypes, including those held by the exclusively male judiciary – a manifestation of the gender-based persecution that women and girls endure in Afghanistan;

2. Condemns the regime put into practice by the Taliban which denies any form of normal life to girls and women in Afghanistan; stands with Afghans in reclaiming their traditions and their rights; highlights the detrimental effects of Taliban policy on women, including their mental health; recognizes that Afghan women and girls need the support of the international community and calls on the international community to increase pressure on the Taliban to revoke its oppressive policies and to raise international awareness about these oppressions;

3. Commends courage of Afghan woman who despite the very grave risk of detention and violence, continue to march on the streets, raising their voices; and continue finding ways to live their lives amid restrictions, including attending underground schools and universities;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the, Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, and the Secretary-General of the UN.