Faiq Calls for Urgent International Action to Improve Human Rights in Afghanistan

Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has called for urgent and effective international action to improve the human rights situation in Afghanistan and restore the fundamental rights of women and girls.

In a post on X on Thursday, October 29, Faiq said he had discussed the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan with Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, during a meeting of the Third Committee of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.

He said the fundamental rights of women and girls, including their rights to education, work, and participation in social life, must be restored. He also called for the protection of children, young people, journalists, human rights defenders, and former security personnel against violence and human rights violations.

Faiq also stressed the need to continue humanitarian assistance to those in need and support Afghan migrants, refugees, and returnees. He called for the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the forced return of refugees to places where they face serious threats, to be respected.

Afghanistan’s permanent representative to the UN said those responsible for serious human rights violations must be held accountable and that international justice and accountability mechanisms should be supported.

According to Faiq, the people of Afghanistan, particularly women and young people, must have a meaningful role in decisions concerning the country’s future and destiny.

He renewed his call for a UN-facilitated political process led and owned by the Afghan people that would lead to the establishment of an inclusive, representative, and accountable system of governance.