Strasbourg 19.09.2024 Tody the European Parliament adopted a resolutions on human rights issues in Afghanistan. (Image above: illustration)

The deteriorating situation of women in Afghanistan due to the recent adoption of the law on the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice”

Parliament condemns the Taliban’s recent decree and enforcement of Sharia law and denounces the erasure of women and girls from public life in Afghanistan. Women are being forced into early marriages, are subjected to sexual violence as well as flogging and stoning to death, MEPs recall, while commending their courage and expressing solidarity with Afghan women.

MEPs want the EU to support the recognition of gender apartheid as a crime against humanity and call for Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to be held accountable, through the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation and the establishment of a UN Independent Investigative Mechanism. They also demand new EU sanctions against the Taliban, and condemn governments that uphold the Taliban by normalising relations. The resolution urges the EU and donor states to increase humanitarian aid and funding to support basic needs, livelihoods and Afghan civil society.

The resolution was adopted by 565 votes in favour, 8 against and 43 abstentions.