Human Rights Groups Urge Global Action on International Criminal Justice Day

On the occasion of International Criminal Justice Day, several Afghan and international human rights organizations released a joint statement initiated by the Tolerance Foundation, urging the global community to take immediate, coordinated, and effective actions to end the impunity of human rights violators in Afghanistan. The statement highlights that the lack of accountability has emboldened the Taliban in their oppressive policies, particularly impacting women’s and girls’ rights to education, work, and participation in public life, which clearly violate international law.

Joint Statement on International Criminal Justice Day

This statement, published under the initiative of the Tolerance Foundation, emphasizes that nearly five years after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the absence of accountability and judicial follow-up has allowed this group to become bolder in their suppressive tactics and violations of the basic rights of the populace.

The signatories of this statement argue that ongoing impunity has created a continuing atmosphere for human rights violations and has obstructed justice for the victims.

Deprivation of Women’s and Girls’ Fundamental Rights

The signing organizations have described the deprivation of women’s and girls’ rights to education, work, and public life as a blatant violation of international law, urging that these restrictions be viewed as part of a systematic oppression policy.

The statement asserts that without achieving justice, sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan will not be possible.

Call for Conditional Engagement with the Taliban

Furthermore, the statement calls on the global community to condition any engagement with the Taliban administration on measurable progress concerning human rights, accountability, and respect for the fundamental rights of the populace, especially women and girls.

The signatories emphasize that coordinated and effective action from the international community could help end the cycle of impunity and strengthen accountability in Afghanistan.