UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan
#humanrights
advocate with 30years experience
Retweets ≠ endorsement
HRC-sr-afghanistan
@un
My report mandated by the HRC on an institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation & exclusion of women & girls is public and will be discussed at the Council on 18 June. It includes analysis&recommendations.
Dari&Pashto versions available soon👇
من حمله وحشتناک امروز بر @اکادمی کاج در #دشت برچی را محکوم می کنم. تکرار حمله #داعش در ۲۰۱۸ در عین مکان. حملات به مراکز #آموزشی #هزاره ها و #شیعه ها باید پایان یابند. حملات به #آینده افغانستان باید پایان یابند، جرایم جنگی باید متوقف شوند #حسابدهی باید صورت گیرد
Alarmed by reports that
@matiullahwesa
famous educator esp. for
#girls
, leading civil society member & founder of
@PenPath1
, has been arrested in Kabul by the Taliban dfA. His safety is paramount & all his legal rights must be respected.
#ReleaseMatiullahWesa
I welcome the
@UN_HRC
renewal of my mandate for another year & am pleased to be back in
#Afghanistan
to continue to engage with all stakeholders on
#HumanRights
while working to improve the situation.
The suspension of women from university education announced today by TB acting Min of Higher Educ marks a new low further violating the right to equal education & deepens the erasure of women from
#Afghan
society. I call on the TB to reverse it immediately
#LetAfghangirlslearn
I am honoured to be entrusted by the HRC with this new mandate as Special Rapporteur on the situation of
#HumanRights
in
#Afghanistan
and committed to working for the human rights of Afghan women, men & children by amplifying their voices and engaging with all stakeholders
To all
#AfghanWomen
& girls faced with such extreme violations of your rights, I & others stand beside you, pledging to do all we can as your allies. We believe in your right to work and learn as equal human beings. Please don’t give up. We will not.
#BreadWorkFreedom
امروز ۸ می، یک سال از انفجار در مکتب سیدالشهدا میگذرد. در این انفجار ۸۵ افغان که اکثراً دختران دانشآموز ۱۱ تا ۱۷ ساله بودند، جان باختند. من همدردی همیشگی خود را با خانوادهها و عزیزان قربانیان ابراز میکنم. باید زندگی آنها را به یاد داشت و برایشان عدالت خواست. ۱/۳
Deeply concerned about latest allegations of extrajudicial summary executions in
#Panjshir
. Reminding int’l human rights obligations of all parties, I call for immediate thorough investigation and for perpetrators to be held accountable. I am closely monitoring the situation.
My best wishes to all
#Afghans
beginning the holy month of
#Ramadan
, may it be one of compassion, reflection, peace, and blessing for all.
#RamadanKareem
During my visit to
#Afghanistan
, I met diverse stakeholders incl. female & male reps of civil society from several provinces. Reps from
#Panjshir
described a massive crackdown on civilians by TB & widespread human rights abuses, incl. egregious violations of women & girls.
1/3
Disturbing reports of
#extrajudicial
killings, civ displacement, property destruction & other
#humanrights
abuses in
#Balkhab
District. Regrettably verification hampered by info blackout, internet cut & denial of access to media & HR monitors. All parties must respect
#IHRL
& IHL
Leaving
#Afghanistan
after a 12-days mission. Held informative meetings w/ many stakeholders & visited significant sites. The situation of
#humanrights
remains highly concerning. I will elaborate w/ comments & recommendations at the UNGA next week
Following with concern reports of killings allegedly by
#Taliban
forces of members of two
#Hazara
families in Daikundi Province on 24 November, including a woman & 3 children. An immediate independent & transparent investigation is essential.
Terrible reports of multiple deaths & injuries in a 3rd explosive attack on
#Hazaras
in under a month, latest targeting a civilian bus in Dasht-e-Barchi district
#Kabul
. I urge a full, transparent investigation with a view to identifying perpetrators and holding them accountable.
I repeat my call on
#Pakistan
to avoid yet another crisis for Afghans by cancelling their plans for mass deportations to
#Afghanistan
. I am continuing to advocate for the rights of Afghans in every way possible, including with Pakistan's authorities. See👇
With
@UNSR_Migration
&
@UNSRVAW
I urge
#Pakistan
" to uphold the absolute and non-derogable principle of non-refoulement and prevent collective expulsion and forced return” & cancel plans to deport 1.4 million Afghan nationals. Pls read our statement below
Disturbing reports:
#Taliban
excessive use of force against brave
#Afghan
women’s peaceful protest in
#Kabul
today. Harassment, intimidation & firing of live ammunition violate their freedoms of expression, association and assembly.
#Journalists
similarly protected under
#IHRL
I invite Afghans from all communities to communicate their human rights concerns to my office. These can be made confidentially via hrc-sr-afghanistan
@un
.org
3/3
Alarming reports of female protesters & journalists beaten & detained at protests in Kabul, Takhar & Nangarhar to
#letafghangirlslearn
. Denial of
#FreedomofExpression
& assembly aggravates HR crisis.I call for their immediate release & reinstatement of education for all.
Another dreadful attack on civilians in crowded
#Hazara
market W.
#Kabul
, continuing pattern of crimes claimed by ISIS. My sincere condolences to victims🙏
#Taliban
df authorities are responsible for protecting all
#Afghans
. Perpetrators of Int crimes must be brought to justice.
Observations at the conclusion of my initial visit to Afghanistan as Special Rapporteur on Human Rights. I encourage you to read the statement. Will continue to monitor the situation & promote & protect
#Afghanistan
human rights
Today
#WorldRefugeeDay
we recognize that
#Afghans
make up one of the world’s largest
#refugee
populations. W/ millions registered in neighbouring states
#Iran
&
#Pakistan
& a vast no. of people internally displaced.
Whoever
Wherever
Whenever
Everyone has the right to
#seeksafety
I stand w all Afghans grieving loved ones after last week’s horrific attacks; will continue to monitor & seek
#investigation
& # accountability. Afghans'
#humanrights
must be protected: prevent violations & ensure internationally-guaranteed justice
An important appeal by
@UNHCR
&
@IOM
calling on
#pakistan
to continue to protect all vulnerable
#Afghans
who have sought safety on its territory.
"The forced repatriation of Afghan nationals has the potential to result in severe human rights violations"
Can someone please explain why this restriction on women visiting Bande Amir is necessary to comply with Sharia and Afghan culture?
#womensrightsarenotnegotiable
On Women’s Equality Day, The Taliban has now issued a new order; Women can't visit Bande Amir, This magnificent place in Bamiyan province of Afghanistan, the city of peace and love.
This is a total disrespect to the women of Afghanistan. Awful.
Step by step Taliban is obliterating Afghan women’s
#humanrights
with the latest edict on mandatory face coverings compounding restrictions on education, movement, employment and public life. There must be consequences for human rights violations - time for the int comm to act.
UNAMA is deeply concerned with today’s announcement by the Taliban that all women must cover their faces in public, should only leave their homes in cases of necessity, & that violations will lead to the punishment of their male relatives.
Full statement:
Recent arrests of women in Kabul
#Afghanistan
for "bad hijab", confirmed by
#Taliban
, regrettably signifies further restrictions on women's freedom of expression and undermines other rights. They should all be released immediately and without conditions.
#Afghanistan
2 years since Taliban takeover which has resulted in "continuous, systematic and shocking rescinding of a multitude of human rights.” Together with other UNexperts, I issued a statement calling for action by Taliban & international community
"Ethnic and religious monorities, notably the Hazara, Shia, Sikh and Sufi remain vulnerable to systematic and widespeard discrimination. More must be done to protect targeted communities".
Today 8 May marks 1 year since the Sayed ul Shuhada school bombings. 85 Afghans, mostly schoolgirls between 11-17 yrs, lost their lives. My ongoing sympathy to their families & loved ones. Their lives must be remembered and
#justice
&
#redress
sought. 1/3
Seriously alarmed by the arrests & arbitrary detention of women
#HumanRights
defenders Zholia Parsi & Neda Parwani, and their family members, I call urgently on the Taliban for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as to secure their safety and wellbeing
#Afghanistan
TB decision to ban
#Afghanwomen
UN staff from working is another gross violation of their fundamental right to non-disc, is against UN Charter & will seriously impact essential services for
#Afghans
. Women staff are essential. I urge
#Taliban
to reverse the decision immediately.
I condemn last night’s killing of
#Shia
#Hazara
worshippers at a mosque in Guzara
#Herat
. All
#Afghans
must be able to
#prayinpeace
I urge prevention, protection & justice for Hazara/Shia who continue to be targeted, including in Herat. Condolences to the families and community.
Concerned about yesterday's arrest of peaceful
#EducationActivist
& university lecturer
#IsmaelMashal
by Taliban. Targeting & suppressing peaceful civil activities is unacceptable & contrary to
#Afghanistan
's int obligations. I call for his immediate & unconditional release.
عکسی از @اکادمی کاج قبل از حمله. مملو از شاگرانی که در انتظار شرکت در امتحانات عملی خود هستند، پر از امید برای آینده ای روشن تر. یادآور اینکه آینده #افغانستان بستگی به توقف جنایات بین المللی، بازخواست از عاملان جنایات و #تحصیل جوانان آن دارد. #شاگردان باید مورد حمله قرار نگیرن.
Sunday marks one year since girls were banned from attending high school in Afghanistan.
A year of lost knowledge and opportunity that they will never get back.
Girls belong in school. The Taliban must let them back in.
Visited
#SehDokan
🕌 in
#MazarISharif
, heart-breaking site of violence against civilian worshippers- mostly
#Hazara
💔 Extended my deepest condolences to victims families. Attacks against civilian populations must cease, those responsible brought to
#justice
Arbitrary detention of
@YaghubiZarifa
& 4 colleagues continues since 3 Nov. I join SR FAA's
@cvoule
&
@UNHumanrights
call for their immediate release.All
#Afghans
have the right to peaceful assembly & freedom of expression & opinion, a right that must be respected by
#Taliban
I condemn the continuous wave of unlawful arrests of women activists in
#Afghanistan
.
#Taliban
must release immediately & without harm all
#women
arrested for exercising their fundamental freedoms. As de-facto authorities,
#Taliban
must be held accountable for ongoing abuses.
Alarmed by continuing terror attacks on civilians, including 16 child casualties. Deepest condolences to victims & families of latest attacks
#Kabul
#Mazar
. Flagging as
@SR_Afghanistan
need for a thorough, independent & resourced investigation of these & other attacks.
#justice
Image taken
@Kaaj
Academy before attack. Crammed with eager students waiting to take their practice exams, full of hope for a brighter future. A reminder that
#Afghanistan
's future depends on stopping international crimes, holding perpetrators to account and
#educating
youth 2/2
Clarifying that reports of serious human rights violations in Panjshir and other nthn provinces are being taken very seriously by this mandate with cooperation from UNAMA. Will continue to monitor, receive information, visit & take action at earliest
#prevention
#accountability
The devastating earthquake has resulted in thousands of deaths & injured; many are still missing. I call on the international community to support urgent search & rescue efforts and provide additional humanitarian support for the tens of thousands affected
#AfghanistanEarthquake
At least 11,585 people have been affected by the powerful earthquake that struck
#Afghanistan
's
#Herat
province.
Humanitarians are ramping up response efforts, providing medical services, emergency shelter, food, water and protection.
Latest Update:
I welcome the release of Matiullah Wesa and call for the immediate & unconditional release of all
#Afghanistan
human rights defenders who are arbitrarily detained for standing up for their own rights & the human rights of others.
#ZhuliaParsi
#NedaParwani
#RasoulAbdi
مطیع الله ویسا نن له 215 ورځو زندان تیرولو را خلاص سو!
مطیع الله ویسا بعد از ۲۱۵ زندان امروز ها شد.
Matiullah Wesa was released today after spending 215 days in prison.
#MatiullahWesa
#EduHeroMatiullahWesa
I strongly condemn today's arrest of Parisa Mubariz,
#WomensRights
activist & founder of
#Takhar
Women’s Right to Protest Movement, along with her brother from their home. Protesting to
#LetAfghanGirlsLearn
is not a crime. I call for their immediate & unconditional release.
I join
@MSF_Afghanistan
thinking of families and loved ones. A massacre in a maternity ward w
#Hazara
mothers, babies and health workers victims, part of a pattern. Accountability with international standards can honor victims' lives & help prevent reoccurrence of such atrocities
Today, 12 May, we remember the people who were killed two years ago in the brutal attack on the
@MSF
maternity ward in Dasht-e-Barchi, Kabul.
Our thoughts are with their family, friends and all those touched by the events of that tragic day.
Noting dfA MoD has opened an investigation into reports of
#extra
-judicial killings in
#Panjshir
, I remind
#Taliban
that they bear responsibility for the actions of their forces. Investigations & any prosecutions must be conducted genuinely & according to international standards
“Women and girls are being erased from public life, peaceful dissent is not tolerated, violence and the threat of violence are used with impunity to control and instil fear in the population,” see the press release on my
#HRC55
#Afghanistan
report here: 👇
I condemn today's attack killing dozens of
#Shia
worshippers at a mosque in Pul-e Khumri
#Baghlan
and claimed by ISKP. My condolences to the victims & their families. Prevention, protection & accountability are needed for
#Afghanistan
Shia population that continues to be targeted
8-day joint mission to
#Afghanistan
with
#WGDAWG
completed & found extreme institutionalised gender-based discrimination which is unparalleled anywhere in the world & deeply harms Afghanistan's future. Press statement available here, full report in June: “
The continued detention for at least 114 days without charge of Matiullah Wesa, founder of Pen Path, is arbitrary and unjustified. He has the right to access a lawyer & be visited by his family and I again call for his immediate and unconditional release.
🚨Application open for fellowship opportunity working alongside myself
@RWallenbergInst
, Lund University. A great opportunity for Afghan nationals wanting to research & develop human rights advocacy & skills. Please share and apply.
DEADLINE: 14.11.22 !!!
De facto authorities in
#Afghanistan
have "massively diminished women’s lives, deliberately attacked women and girls’ autonomy, freedom and dignity, and created a culture of impunity". Find
@SR_Afghanistan
&
@UN_SPExperts
joint statement here ->
Former gov & mil officials are at risk in
#Afghanistan
,
#UNAMA
documented 800+ serious human rights violations against them, incl extrajud killings, disapearance, arb. arrest/detent and torture/ill-treatment, despite Taliban promises of “general amnesty”👉
In a new report released today, UNAMA has documented human rights violations by the de facto authorities against hundreds of former government officials & former armed forces members of
#Afghanistan
between 15 Aug 2021 & 30 June 2023.
Full report👉
Despite 1000 unacceptable, almost unthinkable, days of girls secondary edu ban in
#Afghanistan
, millions of Afghan girls refuse to surrender their dreams. We must be equally relentless in our resolve to stand with them
@EduCannotWait
#AfghanGirlsVoices
👉
My second report to the UN Human Rights Council
#HRC5
on the situation of Human Rights in
#Afghanistn
is now online in English, Pashto and Dari.
👉
The report covers July-December 2022, and I look forward to updating it orally on 6 March 2023.
Today, I told the
@UN_HRC
Taliban's institutionalized system of gender oppression is widespread and systematic, and appears to constitute an attack on the entire civilian population which may amount to crimes against humanity. Read my latest report here👇
Together with othe experts, I call on Pakistan to continue to provide critical protection for Afghans. We are concerned about their current treatment in Pakistan, and risks associated with refoulment when forced to leave to Afghanistan. Read more here 👇
I'm looking into highly concerning reports of the killing of 2 Shia scholars in Herat yesterday which follows the killing of another cleric in the area in October. I urge a thorough independent investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice in line with internat standards
Today I presented my latest report to the UNGA on the human rights situation in Afghanistan. Access a related press release & the report through the link below. My statement to the GA will be uploaded soon.
Together with other UN experts, I urge
#Taliban
to end arbitrary detention of women & girls for "bad hijab" that violates their human rights & agency, perpetuating an institutionalised system of discrimination. I continue to look into related allegations👇
Noting reported release of 2460 prisoners & sentence reduction of 481 others on
#EidAlFitr
by the
#Taliban
authorities, I urge the Taliban to release individuals who have arbitrarily been detained so they can celebrate Eid with their families.
#FreeMortaza
#freematiullahwesa
Corroborating open source analysis,
#Panjshiris
also told me of the shocking treatment of NRF fighters hors de combat. This must stop & those responsible held to account. I will discuss these concerns at the
@UN
#GeneralAssembly
on 26 October.
2/3
I am pleased to share Dari and Pashto versions of the statement that I issued on 26 May at the end of my visit to Afghanistan. The statements can be accessed on this link: OHCHR | Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan
Together with other UN experts, I reiterate my call for the Taliban to immediately release human rights defenders
#ZholiaParsi
and
#NedaParwani
who have been detained for more than a month. Others similarly detained must also be released. Read more here 👇
To all those celebrating my warmest wishes, especially to
#Afghans
, with hope that the
#celebration
will inspire compassion, inclusiveness, equality, stability & prosperity at this difficult time
#Eid
al-Adha
#mubarak
On
#InternationalWomensDay
I stand with the women of Afghanistan, call on the
#Taliban
to respect the human rights of women & girls under international law, and urge the immediate and unconditional release of detained women human rights defenders. 👇
Today millions of Afghan women and girls refuse to surrender their dreams - and their human rights - we must be equally relentless in our resolve to stand with them.
@EduCannotWait
#Afghanistan
#afghangirlsvoices
On Monday 19 June,
#WGDAW
Chair
@DorothyEstrada
and I will present our joint report on the situation of women and girls in
#Afghanistan
at the
#HRC53
. The report gives voice to
#Afghan
women. English, Dari & Pashto versions of report at:
The abolition of
#AIHRC
is a massive setback. An independent domestic mechanism to monitor & promote human rights & receive complaints is critical for human rights protection in
#Afghanistan
. Following up with
#de
facto authorities.
I thank
#HRC54
for extending the mandate of SR on the situation of human rights in
#Afghanistan
. It is an honour to serve in this mandate, working to report on & seek improvements to the promotion & protection of human rights, independently & impartially.
I join
@UNAMA
in calling for greater security for minority communities during
#Ashura
. Let those who perpetrate these international crimes know - you will face justice!
@hrw
statement alleging HR abuses in the
#Afghan
#Panjshir
region generally corresponds with my ongoing
#inquiries
. Full & transparent
#investigation
is warranted, those responsible held to account. All parties have a responsibility to protect civilians and respect
#IHL
and
#IHRL
Find yesterday’s full
@UN
General Assembly briefing on my recent visit to
#Afghanistan
and the situation of Human Rights. Note, the full text was not delivered orally due to time constraints.
Here ->
One year ago
#Taliban
banned women from working in NGOs. Once again I urge the lifting of the ban. Education and work are vital to a full and dignified life, women are crucial for the economy and their contributions are essential for the well-being and progress of
#Afghan
society
Heartbreaking devastation and misery caused by
#HeratEarthquake
My deep condolences to families who have lost loved ones, hopes for finding alive those still missing, best wishes for recovery of those injured and grant strength to rescue and aid workers
#Afghanistan
At least 100 people were killed and a further 500 injured in today’s 6.3 magnitude
#earthquake
in Herat Province. Read more here about ongoing humanitarian response efforts in our latest Flash Update:👇
With
@UNSR_Migration
&
@UNSRVAW
I urge
#Pakistan
" to uphold the absolute and non-derogable principle of non-refoulement and prevent collective expulsion and forced return” & cancel plans to deport 1.4 million Afghan nationals. Pls read our statement below
سفر هشت روزه مشترک با
#WGDAWG
به #افغانستان به اتمام رسید و در مورد تبعیض ساختارمند مبتنی بر جنسیت که در هیچ گوشه ای جهان نظیر ندارد و آینده افغانستان را عمیقا صدمه می زند، دریافتیم. بیانیه مطبوعاتی اینجا قابل دسترس است. گزارش کامل در ماه جون منتشر می شود.
Fact-checking is always a useful tool pre-tweeting, maybe next time
@MJalal700
should verify the date before publishing old photos.
@AP
2019 original article and photo here:
I welcome the release of Neda Parwani, Zholia Parsi and their family members. They should never have been imprisoned. I continue to urge the immediate release of
#Afghanistan
HRDs, NGO workers, journalists and others who are arbitrarily detained for standing up for human rights.
I welcome
#CEDAW
condemning
#Taliban
policies & actions on women that “highlight the prevailing systemic gender-based discrimination carried out by the Taliban since coming to power, which violates almost all the substantive articles of the Convention”👇
Once again I condemn the widespread flogging of men, womn, childrn, this time in public in SarePul&Ghor for so-called "moral crimes" (adultery, elopement…) This violates
#Afghanistan
's obligations to prohibit torture/other forms of cruel&inhuman punishment. It needs to stop now!
At
@UN_HRC
, I urged an “all tools” approach to challenge & dismantle Taliban’s system of gender oppression and to hold those responsible to account. This includes calling for States to support the concept of gender apartheid & its codification. See here👇
In
#Afghanistan
“the right to education remains a distant dream for many, particularly beyond the sixth grade for girls, effectively extinguishing the hopes&aspirations of a generation yearning for knowledge&progress.” See my
#HRC55
statement 👇
Today
#HumanRightsDay
marks 74th anniversary of
#UDHR
&
#Afghanistan
national day of remembrance of victims & survivors of human rights violations, a moment to recommit to human rights & seek accountability & reconciliation.
#StandUp4HumanRights
On the occasion of
#EidalFitr
I extend to all
#Afghans
my warmest wishes for a blessed celebration. Eid manifests our commitment to values of gratitude, compassion & tolerance. I offer support to Afghans for durable peace & protection of fundamental rights & freedoms. Eid Mubarak
#Education
is an enabling right, crucial for realising other human rights incl rights to work, adeq std of living, health, partic in society, equality in law & fund freedoms. Denying this right to half the popn denies women and girls most other human rights.
#AfghanGirlsVoices