On the first anniversary of the decision by Australia, Germany, Canada, and the Netherlands to pursue accountability for the Taliban’s violations of women’s and girls’ rights, 28 civil society organizations called for broader international support for the initiative.
According to these organizations, the effort by the four countries could ultimately lead to a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which—if it proceeds—would hold the Taliban accountable for their “misogynistic” policies.
Human Rights Watch, together with 27 other groups, issued a joint statement urging the four governments to strengthen their commitment, “turn words into action,” and ensure meaningful participation of Afghan women, victims, and civil society.
The organizations warned: “As Afghan women continue to suffer escalating violence and restrictions, we are deeply concerned about the growing normalization of the Taliban.”
They stressed that protecting women’s rights in Afghanistan requires coordinated, principled action from a larger number of states committed to women’s human rights and dignity.
The groups also urged countries of the Global South, as well as member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to join the initiative and support it before the ICJ.
The statement added that broader international backing for this potential ICJ case would give Afghan women and girls crucial hope at a time when they need it most.
Last year, Germany, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands announced their intention to hold the Taliban accountable under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
