Activist Criticizes Western Role in Afghanistan’s Erosion of Women’s Rights

Dil Bar Irshad | June 1, 2024 | 03:41 PM IST | Breaking News | Follow on Google News

Activist Criticizes Western Role in Afghanistan’s Erosion of Women’s Rights

Activist Criticizes Western Role in Afghanistan’s Erosion of Women’s Rights

Key Highlights:

1. Western nations criticized for neglecting Afghan women’s rights in US-Taliban deal.
2. Haidari highlights ongoing hardship for Afghan women post-Taliban takeover.
3. Calls for UN and international community to exert more pressure on the Taliban.

Berlin-based Afghan rights activist Omar Haidari criticized Western nations for their role in the erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Speaking to ANI, Haidari argued that the February 2020 US-Taliban agreement showed a lack of concern for Afghan women’s rights, leading to mistrust in the West.

Recalling the August 2021 Taliban takeover, Haidari emphasized that the rapid change was somewhat anticipated due to shifting Western policies. He stated that the Doha agreement made it clear that human rights and women’s rights were not priorities for Western countries. “The public agreement and hidden annexures with the Taliban showed that women’s rights were never important to the West,” Haidari remarked.

Haidari’s comments precede a UN-organized meeting in Doha, where Taliban representatives are expected. The UN has previously held two Afghanistan Conferences in Doha to address these issues. Haidari noted that while the US and allies supported the Afghan army, they allowed the Taliban to establish a political office in Doha, undermining trust in the West.

Haidari criticized the ongoing hardship for Afghan women, stating, “Promises to reopen schools and universities for women were lies.” He argued that global attention to Afghan women’s plight has waned, with only “condemnation letters” from international bodies without serious consequences for the Taliban.

Haidari called on the United Nations Security Council to exert more pressure on the Taliban, including sanctions and restrictions on their movement. He highlighted the severe impact on tens of thousands of women professionals who are now jobless and the broader economic crisis resulting from the Taliban’s policies.

“The situation for Afghan women is dire,” Haidari said, pointing to the significant role women played in Afghanistan’s economy before the Taliban’s return. He also noted the mass exodus of educated professionals, further crippling the country’s economy and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Haidari urged the international community to take stronger actions against the Taliban’s oppressive regime to ensure basic human rights and support for Afghan women.

(Note: This content is AI Reproduced, original content goes to ANI)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.