UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has warned EU countries not to stop humanitarian aid deliveries because of the Taliban’s misogynistic policies in Afghanistan. Governments must explain to taxpayers why money is being given to a country that discriminates against women, Mohammed told the German press agency and other international media in Brussels. But the unpleasant truth is that women and children in Afghanistan would die without help from abroad.
“There are temperatures of minus 30 degrees,” said the deputy secretary-general. “And there are people who don’t know where they’re going to get their next meal.” The aim of the international community should be to exert pressure in other areas to convince the militant Islamist Taliban to withdraw discriminatory decisions against women or at least to make more exceptions. She cites as an example the far-reaching employment and training bans for women, which also include work for aid organisations.
The Taliban have been back in power in Afghanistan since the summer of 2021 after international troops withdrew. The EU is discussing whether further development aid can be provided. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock announced a tough German stance at an EU meeting on Monday.
Baerbock: Don’t become “the Taliban’s henchmen.”
“If women can no longer work for international organisations, aid will no longer arrive. And as an international community, we cannot become the Taliban’s accomplices in banning women from working,” the Greens politician said. “That means: where women are no longer allowed to work, German relief goods can no longer arrive.” The Taliban take the entire Afghan population hostage.
The Taliban are receiving massive international criticism – especially for a massive curtailment of women’s and human rights. Schools for girls from group 7 are closed in large parts of the country. Going to university has also been taboo for women since December. In November, parks and gyms had to close to women. At the end of December, women were banned from working for non-governmental organisations.
(yam/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
