Roza Otunbayeva, the UN’s special representative for Afghanistan, told the Security Councilon June 21 that the Taliban’s continued restrictions on women made it “nearly impossible” for the international community to recognize it as a legitimate government. In particular, Otunbayeva referred to an April edict banning Afghan women from working with the UNâa follow-up to an earlier ban on them working for local or international NGOs. However, the Islamic Emirate, as the Taliban prefers to be known, continues to push for international recognition, most recently at a meeting of stakeholders in Oslo.
Meanwhile, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahidâacting defense minister and son of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omarâgave a first interview to a private broadcaster, TOLO TV. “I hope that in five years, we will have progress in all areas [including] the issue that has been raised by our countrymen now and that friends are asking about, regarding [women’s] education,” he said. Asked directly whether he realizes how such restrictions are affecting the Islamic Emirate’s chances at international recognition, Mujahid skirted the issue.
From The New Humanitarian, June 23
See our last report on the Taliban’s anti-woman crackdown.
Photo: UNICEF
UN Secretary-General reprimands Taliban
In the UN Security Council’s latest quarterly report regarding conditions of life in Afghanistan, released last week, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that Taliban authorities must ensure “inclusive governance,” allow freedom of speech, and stop handing out corporal punishment in order to enter the global community. (Jurist)
Afghanistan: women protest beauty salon closures
Women in Afghanistan took to the streets this week to protest a Taliban ban on beauty salons. Women shouted “work, bread and justice” as they were gathered in Kabul July 19. The ban will come into effect in five days, leaving roughly 60,000 women out of work. (PRI, BBC News)