Karima Bennoune: The International Community will not Tolerate Gender Apartheid

Karima Bennoune: The Security Council should show the Taliban that the international community will not tolerate gender apartheid

International Law Expert’s Plea at United Nations Security Council Meeting

International law expert Karima Bennoune has asked the United Nations Security Council to show the Taliban that the international community will not tolerate the gender apartheid system that this group has created in Afghanistan. She made these statements on Tuesday at the meeting of the United Nations Security Council regarding Afghanistan.

No Results from Previous Appeals

Bennoune highlighted that despite the Security Council’s repeated appeals to the Taliban to end their abuse, there have been no significant results. She believes that the Security Council has other means to hold the Taliban accountable for depriving women of their rights.

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Concrete Steps Required

Bennoune urged the Security Council to take concrete steps to demonstrate to the Taliban that the international community will not tolerate the gender apartheid system implemented in Afghanistan. She referenced the June report by the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan and the Discrimination Group, which described gender apartheid in Afghanistan. Bennoune called on the international community to condemn it.

Action and Resolution

According to Bennoune, it is crucial for the Security Council and other UN-affiliated organizations to pass resolutions recognizing the Taliban’s treatment of women as both gender-based torture and gender apartheid. These resolutions would require governments and the UN to take action in order to end the violations of international law and ensure justice for the perpetrators.

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Calling for Wider Recognition and Implementation

Additionally, Bennoune called for countries to include references to gender apartheid in the ongoing review of the treaty on crimes against humanity. She also requested the United Nations Office of the Deputy Secretary General in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to fully implement its mandate on women’s rights and prioritize women’s meaningful participation in international community gatherings on Afghanistan.

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