Afghanistan: Advocating for the rights and voices of women human rights defenders

09/11/2023

Statement

Human Rights Defenders

Rashid Khan via Unsplash

In a powerful demonstration of solidarity, 68 regional and international organisations, including FIDH and OMCT in the framework of the Observatory for the protection of human rights defenders, and 38 individuals, including journalists, activists, professors, and human rights advocates, have united to demand the release of Afghan Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) Neda Parwani, Zholia Parsi, and, Manizha Sediqi, who were forcibly taken by the Taliban in the past month. This collective effort underscores our commitment to protecting and securing the fundamental rights of these courageous women. Read our full statement below.

For over a month, WHRDs Neda Parwani, Zholia Parsi, along with her son, and recently Manizha Sediqi, have been forcibly taken by the Taliban. These WHRDs have been advocating for women’s rights in Afghanistan, the only country in the world where women are denied secondary and higher education.

Since the Taliban takeover, Afghan women have fearlessly led civic protests, enduring violence and persecution. Despite risks, including being pepper sprayed, abducted, tortured, and killed, they persist.

Zholia Parsi, speaking to Femena in August 2023, expressed frustrations about the impact of their struggles: "In an attempt to demand our rights, I started protesting on the streets. My protests feel futile, with little hope for change."

Since the imprisonment of Zholia, Neda, and Manizha, women protesters across Afghanistan continue to persist and resist the Taliban. They conduct indoor protests, urging the international community to hold the Taliban accountable, demanding justice.

For over two years, the Taliban have violated international human rights with impunity.

Femena stands in solidarity with these brave women, urging the world to listen and act. It is past time to demand accountability, ensuring the voices and rights of Afghan women are recognized and protected.

Our Call for Action:

– Pressure the Taliban: We urge UNAMA and diplomatic missions in Afghanistan to exert pressure on the Taliban, demanding an end to their targeted attacks on Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) and other civic actors within the country.
– Advocate for WHRDs: We demand that UNAMA, diplomatic missions, and Special Envoys for Afghanistan elevate the cases of WHRDs in Taliban prisons, advocating vigorously for their safe release and ensuring their human rights are protected.
– Support WHRDs: We urge key international stakeholders to provide crucial financial, protection, and relocation support to Afghan WHRDs whenever their lives are under threat. These measures are essential for safeguarding the lives and contributions of these brave activists.

We, the signatories of this statement of solidarity, demand action to support and protect Afghan WHRDs and advocate for their release from Taliban prisons in Afghanistan.