Global Consortium Challenges Taliban Over Gender Discrimination in UN Lawsuit

Four countries—Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands—are initiating legal proceedings against the Taliban for violating a UN convention on women's rights. This action, supported by over 20 nations, aims to hold Afghanistan accountable for its oppressive policies against women and girls. The Taliban deny all accusations.

In a significant move against the Taliban's gender policies, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands are initiating legal proceedings under international law, accusing Afghanistan's rulers of systematic human rights violations against women and girls.

The announcement was made during the UN General Assembly in New York, where more than 20 countries expressed support for the legal action. The initiative aims to address the Taliban's severe restrictions on women's education, employment, and public life.

The Taliban have rebuffed these accusations, labeling them as propaganda and asserting that their policies align with Islamic law. However, human rights activists, including Fereshta Abbasi from Human Rights Watch, see this as a crucial step toward justice for the oppressed women of Afghanistan.

(With inputs from agencies.)