The British government has voiced deep concern over the increasing number of women being detained by the Taliban for alleged dress code violations.
Speaking at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Eleanor Sanders, the UK’s Human Rights Envoy, said the country is alarmed by the Taliban’s use of public floggings and executions in Afghanistan.
Sanders urged the Taliban to immediately end these “repressive practices” and respect the rights of all Afghan citizens. “Four years after the Taliban’s return to power, repression has intensified,” she said, “with women’s rights and freedoms systematically eroded through more than 100 decrees.”
The UK called on the international community to continue coordinated pressure against the Taliban and to stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.
Sanders also expressed the UK’s solidarity following the recent deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, noting that the UK has allocated £1 million (over 92 million Afghanis) in humanitarian aid to support survivors.
She commended UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett for his work, reaffirming the UK’s full support for his mission: “We are grateful for your unwavering commitment to exposing the grave human rights situation in Afghanistan,” she said.
