Afghanistan: High Commissioner for Human Rights warns of ‘brief executions’ and restrictions on women’s rights | world News

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The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that it has credible reports of “summary executions” and restrictions on women in areas of Afghanistan under Taliban control.

And Michelle Bachelet called on the Human Rights Council to take “bold and resolute measures” to monitor the situation in Afghanistan.

“At this critical moment, the Afghan people are looking to the Human Rights Council to defend and protect their rights,” she said.

Image: At this critical moment, the people of Afghanistan look to the Human Rights Council to defend and protect their rights, says Michelle Bachelet

“I urge this Council to take bold and strong action, commensurate with the gravity of this crisis, by establishing a dedicated mechanism to closely monitor the evolution of the human rights situation in Afghanistan.”

Her remarks about the “mechanism” indicate that the council may appoint a commission of inquiry, a special rapporteur, or a fact-finding mission on the situation under Taliban rule.

Groups like Human Rights Watch have made similar calls, but a draft resolution in the council falls short of intense scrutiny and appears to delay any deeper investigation into the human rights situation in Afghanistan until next year.

Ms. Bachelet cited reports of “summary executions” of civilians and former security forces, the recruitment of child soldiers and restrictions on women’s right to move freely and girls’ right to go to school.

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Race against time to evacuate thousands of Afghans

It also noted the suppression of peaceful protests and expressions of dissent.

The head of the rights department did not specify the source of her reports.

It comes after a Norway-based private intelligence group said it had obtained evidence that the Taliban had arrested Afghans on a blacklist of people they believe worked in key roles in the former Afghan administration or with US-led forces.

When the Taliban last ruled Afghanistan, women were mostly confined to their homes, music and television were banned, public executions were used as punishment for those convicted of murder or adultery, while amputations were used for those found guilty of theft.

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Ms. Bachelet said Taliban leaders recently pledged to respect the rights of women, girls and ethnic minorities and to refrain from reprisals.

“The onus is now entirely on the Taliban to translate these commitments into reality,” she said.

This comes ahead of an emergency Group of Seven meeting, where leaders are expected to discuss whether US President Joe Biden’s August 31 deadline for a complete withdrawal of US forces can be extended to allow for more. people to be evacuated.

Meanwhile, it emerged that the CIA director had secretly met the Taliban leader on Monday.

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