UN Security Council unanimously demands Taliban reverse crackdown on Afghan women

    UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday calling on Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to swiftly reverse their sweeping crackdown on women and girls, as well as to combat militant groups inside the country that Pakistan accuses of launching cross-border attacks.

    The resolution, which extends the UN political mission in Afghanistan until June 17, 2027, authorizes the mission to support humanitarian aid deliveries “without discrimination” and to promote inclusive governance with the “full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women, minorities, youth and persons with disabilities.”

    Chinese UN Ambassador Fu Cong, whose country sponsored the resolution, expressed hope that the Afghan government will “take more proactive measures to protect human rights, especially the rights of women, and project an image of openness, inclusivity and responsibility.”

    The resolution’s adoption follows the arrest of at least 30 women in the western city of Herat this month for allegedly violating the Taliban’s strict dress code. A rare protest triggered by the arrests was violently dispersed by Taliban police, who shot and killed one person and injured several others, according to the UN mission known as UNAMA.

    Protesters, numbering approximately 100 to 150 people, took to the streets after the weekend detentions. Eyewitnesses reported seeing Taliban officers open fire during the demonstration. The UN mission later confirmed “at least one person, a boy, was killed by gunfire, while several others suffered injuries including from being beaten with sticks.”

    Since seizing power in 2021 in the aftermath of the chaotic withdrawal of US-led forces, the Taliban have imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, including draconian restrictions that ban girls from education beyond primary school and block women from most jobs.

    US deputy ambassador Jennifer Locetta stated that the Taliban must act for any political process to succeed. “The Taliban must meet their counterterrorism commitments, respect Afghanistan’s international obligations, end hostage diplomacy, and cease their unconscionable abuses of the human rights of women and girls,” she said.

    Beyond the resolution, international pressure has been mounting. On June 8, a group of UN experts denounced the crackdown, stating that at least two people had been killed and more than 20 injured during recent protests in Herat. The independent experts said allegations that women were detained for dress code violations “may constitute arbitrary and unlawful detention, as it appears to penalise the exercise of their right to freedom of expression and right to be free from gender discrimination.”

    UN Women has also expressed grave concern, noting that the arrests “have heightened fear and apprehension among women and girls across Afghanistan.” The agency welcomed the release of many of the detained women but stressed that such arbitrary arrests have a profound impact on women and their families.

    Meanwhile, Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for deadly attacks inside its territory, an allegation the Taliban denies. Hundreds of people have been killed in cross-border fighting between the two countries since February. Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Asim Ahmad said the “resolution expresses the council’s serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, which continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security.”

    Despite the international outcry, the Taliban have given no indication they intend to reverse course. A senior Taliban leader recently warned the Security Council to abandon its “failed policy of pressure,” dismissing international criticism of restrictions on women as “unfounded.” The Taliban maintains that its policies comply with Islamic law.

    The newly adopted resolution also authorizes UNAMA to facilitate talks between the Taliban and regional countries, as well as the wider international community. It allows the UN mission to advance Afghanistan’s economic development, including by supporting efforts to return assets belonging to the central bank for the benefit of the Afghan people.