The Kabul Tribune (KT) -- Canada convened a meeting of the Group of Friends of Afghanistan with U.N. Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett and urged sustained international attention on Afghanistan, saying it “stands firm in our support for the people of Afghanistan, particularly women and girls,” the Canadian mission in the UN said.
In a post shared by the Canadian mission in the United
Kingdom, officials said the meeting aimed to keep Afghanistan on the
international agenda amid growing concern over human rights restrictions
imposed by the Taliban.
“Canada continues to call for sustained attention on Afghanistan
and stands firm in our support for the people of Afghanistan, particularly
women and girls,” the mission said.
Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban have restricted
women and girls from secondary and higher education, most public jobs, and many
basic freedoms. The United Nations and rights organizations have condemned the
measures as violations of international law and a rollback of two decades of
progress for Afghan women.
Bennett, who monitors human rights conditions in
Afghanistan, has previously said the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls
could amount to “gender persecution.”
Canada has been among the countries calling for stronger
international coordination to address the crisis and ensure that Afghan women
remain central to diplomatic engagement with the Taliban authorities.
