NCJ Number
192693
Date Published
October 2001
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This report examines abuses of women's human rights in Afghanistan.
Abstract
Women in Afghanistan have suffered a catastrophic assault on their human rights during more than 20 years of war and under the repressive rule of the Taliban. Throughout the Afghan civil war, all sides committed egregious and flagrant violations of human rights law, including violations of women's rights, with impunity. There is danger now that the international community will advocate for a political solution that, while serving their immediate political and security needs, bargains away accountability for the long history of human rights abuses suffered by the citizens of Afghanistan generally, and by Afghan women specifically. Discussion of protection of women's rights during the U.S.-led attack on Afghanistan has been largely absent. The report states that any political or military solution to the situation in Afghanistan must include clear commitments by the international community to promote and protect women's human rights and fundamental freedoms. The international community must insist on an end to impunity, for accountability for abuses of women's human rights committed during the civil war, and for any violations that occur during the U.S.-led war on terrorism and for full respect and protection for women's human rights as an integral part of any post-conflict reconstruction and development. Glossary, notes, appendix