Foreign ministers from twelve countries are increasing pressure on Taliban US is introducing mandatory tests for travelers from China due to corona wave

A joint statement by the foreign ministers of twelve countries and the EU foreign policy representative said they were “deeply concerned” about the “reckless and dangerous attitude” of the militant Islamists. “We call on the Taliban to reverse this decision as soon as possible.”

Australia, Canada, Switzerland, Italy, Japan, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK were also involved in the statement released Wednesday (local time) by the US State Department. The UN Security Council had previously called on the Taliban to respect the rights of women in the country.

On Saturday, the Taliban NGOs ordered their employees to be suspended until further notice. The Ministry of Economic Affairs in Kabul motivated its request with the fact that the women would not have veiled themselves properly and would thus violate the rules in the Islamic country. The move sparked concern and criticism around the world.

Since taking power in August 2021, Islamists have massively restricted women’s rights. The Islamists have recently banned women from all universities. Girls’ education was restricted by the Islamists just a few months after they came to power.

The foreign ministers’ statement said the suspension of women from NGOs would endanger millions of Afghans who depend on humanitarian aid for their survival.

Without women, NGOs would not be able to provide food, medicine, winter supplies and other essential materials and services to the country’s most vulnerable people. Thus, the Taliban continued to show their contempt for the rights, freedoms and well-being of the Afghan people, especially women and girls. (sda/dpa)