United Nations: Gender-Based Apartheid Should Be Included in the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty

UN Human Rights Experts Urge Governments to Include Gender-Based Apartheid as a Crime Against Humanity and Involve Afghan Women in All Stages of Negotiations

UN human rights experts have called on governments to recognize gender-based apartheid as a crime against humanity in the treaty on the prevention and punishment of such crimes and to ensure Afghan women are meaningfully involved in all stages of the negotiations.

In a statement, the UN emphasized that the meaningful participation of women, gender justice activists, and Afghan civil society groups is essential for drafting the treaty.

The UN experts also warned that without the presence of victims, the treaty cannot be effective.

Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, girls have been barred from education beyond the sixth grade, women’s right to work has been restricted, and their presence in public life has been severely limited.

UN experts have urged governments and the UN to guarantee safe and inclusive participation of women’s organizations and to support the recognition of gender-based apartheid as a crime against humanity.