The “Law for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Evil” silences the voices of women and deprives them of their autonomy,in an effective attempt to turn them into faceless, voiceless shadows“, said Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR‘s chief spokesman.
“This is completely unbearable,” she stressed.
“We call on the de facto authorities to immediately repeal this legislation, which is contrary to the constitution. clear violation of Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law.”
Repressive, vague provisions
The law passed last week imposes a long list of repressive measures on women, including requiring them to wear clothing that covers their entire bodies, a ban on their voices being heard in public and further restrictions on their freedom of movement without a male relative.
Even the sound of a woman’s voice outside the home is apparently considered a moral violation.
Men must also grow beards, administrators are not allowed to play music, and the media are not allowed to publish images of people. State agents are given broad powers to detain individuals and impose penalties.
Ms Shamdasani stressed that disempowering and making invisible Afghan women and girls will only worsen the human rights and humanitarian crisis in the country.
“This is precisely a moment to bring all Afghan people, regardless of gender, religion or ethnicity, together to solve the many challenges facing the country,” she urged.
‘Disturbing vision’ for the future
The top UN envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, also condemned the new law, describing it as a “worrying vision” for the future of the country.
“After decades of war and amid a terrible humanitarian crisis, the Afghan people deserve much better than being threatened or imprisoned. if they happen to be late for prayer, catch a glimpse of a member of the opposite sex who is not a relative, or possess a photo of a loved one,” she said in a proposition.
Citizens, not subjects to be disciplined
Mrs Otunbayeva added that the The international community had “attempted in good faith” to engage constructively with the Taliban.
“The world wants to see Afghanistan on the path of peace and prosperity, where all Afghans have a stake in their future, are citizens with rights and not just subjects who need to be disciplined.”
She stressed that further restricting Afghans’ rights and keeping them in constant fear will make achieving that goal “even more difficult.”
