UNITED NATIONS (Dispatches) -- Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations Zahra Ershadi has said the Taliban should heed the international community’s call to protect human rights, particularly women’s rights.
“Afghan women’s rights must be respected. The Taliban should heed the international community’s call to protect human rights, particularly women’s rights,” Ershadi said in a statement addressing the United Nations Security Council on “Women, Peace and Security: Women’s economic inclusion and participation as a key to building peace.
The envoy said Iran “since its establishment has always considered the promotion of cultural, social, economic, and political status of women and girls as a key element in its policy-making, legislation, and national planning”.
“Despite the U.S.’ illegal and inhumane sanctions, which have negatively affected the financing and executing the programs planned by government, civil society and private sectors aiming at women advancement and empowerment, Iran has remarkable achievements in this area.”
Ershad touched on “the devastation created by armed- conflicts, violent extremism and foreign occupation and aggressions, as well as terrorist attacks targeting innocent civilians including women and girls” in the Middle East.
“Palestinian women and girls continue to suffer as a result of the decades-long occupation and human rights violations, as well as the Israeli regime’s colonial and Apartheid policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, all of which violate basic rules of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
“In Afghanistan, the current situation has severely affected Afghan women’s rights, including their political and socioeconomic rights, such as the right to education, work, and political participation.
“Afghan women’s rights must be respected,” she said..