UN Halts Assistance to Afghan Returnees Over Curbs on Women Staff
The United Nations has suspended its assistance to Afghans returning from neighboring countries after the Taliban government prevented women staff members from working.
Kabul: The United Nations announced on Thursday that it has halted its support for Afghans returning from neighboring countries, following instructions from the de facto authorities in Afghanistan prohibiting Afghan female staff members from working.
According to the UN's refugee agency, these measures were enforced at cash assistance centers across Afghanistan where returnees receive financial aid and other support.The decision by the UN was made on September 9th in light of the Taliban's restrictions on Afghan women employees accessing their workplaces.
Security forces have been observed at the entrances of UN premises in Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif to enforce these restrictions.
This development is particularly concerning, given the ongoing limitations placed on the rights of Afghan women and girls.The current situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule has drawn widespread criticism from the international community for its human rights record, especially regarding the treatment of women.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in July for two senior Taliban leaders, accusing them of crimes against humanity related to the persecution of women and girls.
Additionally, Afghan women are barred from various aspects of society, including education, work opportunities, access to parks and gyms, and require a male guardian for travel.The UN has attributed its decision to end support for returnees to operational concerns, specifically noting that it requires female employees to conduct interviews with the many women returning from neighboring countries.
The organization is currently engaging in discussions with the Taliban government in hopes of resolving these issues and enabling its female staff to resume work.Pakistan has historically served as a refuge for Afghans fleeing violence, dating back to the Soviet invasion and continuing through the 2021 Taliban takeover.
However, in 2023, Pakistan initiated a crackdown to evict Afghan refugees, categorizing them as "terrorists and criminals".
As of now, over 2.1 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan and Iran this year, according to UN data.
These individuals join earlier waves of mass expulsions from neighboring countries, deported or driven out by fear of arrest.
According to the UN's refugee agency, these measures were enforced at cash assistance centers across Afghanistan where returnees receive financial aid and other support.The decision by the UN was made on September 9th in light of the Taliban's restrictions on Afghan women employees accessing their workplaces.
Security forces have been observed at the entrances of UN premises in Kabul, Herat, and Mazar-i-Sharif to enforce these restrictions.
This development is particularly concerning, given the ongoing limitations placed on the rights of Afghan women and girls.The current situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule has drawn widespread criticism from the international community for its human rights record, especially regarding the treatment of women.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in July for two senior Taliban leaders, accusing them of crimes against humanity related to the persecution of women and girls.
Additionally, Afghan women are barred from various aspects of society, including education, work opportunities, access to parks and gyms, and require a male guardian for travel.The UN has attributed its decision to end support for returnees to operational concerns, specifically noting that it requires female employees to conduct interviews with the many women returning from neighboring countries.
The organization is currently engaging in discussions with the Taliban government in hopes of resolving these issues and enabling its female staff to resume work.Pakistan has historically served as a refuge for Afghans fleeing violence, dating back to the Soviet invasion and continuing through the 2021 Taliban takeover.
However, in 2023, Pakistan initiated a crackdown to evict Afghan refugees, categorizing them as "terrorists and criminals".
As of now, over 2.1 million Afghans have returned from Pakistan and Iran this year, according to UN data.
These individuals join earlier waves of mass expulsions from neighboring countries, deported or driven out by fear of arrest.
