Women’s Rights Activists urge US Congress to recognize Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan

Three women’s rights activists from the United States have called for the Taliban’s gender apartheid in Afghanistan to be recognized as a crime against humanity. The activists, Heather Barr, Wahida Amiri, and Mitra Mehran, emphasized the severe lack of justice for Afghan women and girls.

During a special session of the U.S. Congress on human rights in Afghanistan, the activists painted a grim picture of the situation faced by Afghan women and girls. They criticized the ineffective diplomatic efforts that have failed to improve their conditions.

Heather Barr of Human Rights Watch pointed out that both the UN Special Rapporteur and Afghan human rights activists have called for the Taliban’s treatment of women to be recognized as gender apartheid. She stressed that this recognition should be incorporated into international legal frameworks.

Barr described the plight of Afghan women as shocking and alarming. She noted that private discussions between Western diplomats and the Taliban have not led to any significant improvements. She condemned the exclusion of women representatives from the third Doha meeting as a major victory for the Taliban.

Wahida Amiri urged U.S. Congress members to take action based on human dignity and international human rights conventions. She called for the U.S. government to recognize Taliban crimes against Afghan women as crimes against humanity under Articles 7 and 8 of the Rome Statute.

Amiri appealed to the committee to officially acknowledge gender apartheid in Afghanistan and recognize the Taliban as leaders of such a regime. She emphasized that her plea reflects the voices of Afghan people, including women and children.

Amiri also highlighted that U.S. support has facilitated the Taliban’s repression of women and girls. She criticized the U.S. for engaging in negotiations with the Taliban despite warnings from Afghan women and democratic forces, which led to a peace agreement.

She further criticized the U.S. government for providing millions of dollars in humanitarian aid to the Taliban despite their oppressive policies. Amiri urged Congress to prevent taxpayer money from being used to support the Taliban.

Mitra Mehran addressed Congress, detailing how the Taliban has increasingly restricted the rights of women and girls since taking power. She pointed out the removal of women’s employment, education, freedom of expression, and access to healthcare and social activities.

Mehran called on Congress to recognize gender apartheid as a crime against humanity and condemned the Taliban’s actions against women’s rights organizations. She highlighted Amnesty International’s reports of the detention and torture of protesting women.

The urgent appeal from these activists highlights the severe human rights violations perpetrated by the Taliban. Recognizing these actions as crimes against humanity could pressure the international community to take decisive steps to address the ongoing crisis and support Afghan women and girls in their fight for justice and equality.

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