HRC53 - NB8 statement - Situation of human rights in Afghanistan and the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls
Human Rights Council – 53rd session: 19 June – 14 July 2023
National and Nordic-Baltic Statements
Item 2: Enhanced interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, on a report on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan
Statement by Finland on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic Countries
19 June 2023
Mr. President,
I speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country Finland. We welcome the joint report.
We commend the Special Rapporteur’s valuable work and appreciate his access to the country.
Afghanistan has the duty to comply with various international human rights conventions, including CEDAW, and conventions prohibiting torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment.
Supporting human rights defenders and civil society space remains our priority.
We strongly condemn the systematic discrimination against women and girls in Afghanistan, which may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity. This systematic crackdown on women’s and girls’ rights damages the entire Afghan society, also boys and men.
Without access to education at all levels, girls and women of Afghanistan lose the opportunity to fulfil their potential. Female professionals are crucial for the delivery of basic services not least healthcare and perinatal care. Education is key for protecting girls and women from violence, poverty and exploitation.
The use of cruel, inhuman and degrading punishments is deeply concerning.
The severe lack of respect for international obligations by the de facto authorities only further isolates Afghanistan from the international community.