Afghanistan faces a “cultural disaster”, following the fall of Kabul to Taliban forces, a UN Special Rapporteur said on Tuesday, in a statement urging countries to provide urgent assistance to human rights defenders, including those working on women’s and cultural rights, as well as artists, trying to flee the country.
“It is deplorable that the world has abandoned Afghanistan to a fundamentalist group like the Taliban whose catastrophic human rights record, including practice of gender apartheid, use of cruel punishments and systematic destruction of cultural heritage, when in power, is well documented,” said Karima Bennoune, the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights.
The independent rights experts called for all forms of culture and cultural heritage to be protected, as well as those who defend it, and implored cultural and educational institutions everywhere to extend invitations to Afghan artists, cultural workers and students, especially women and members of minorities, to enable them to continue their work in safety.
“It is not enough for foreign governments to secure the safety of their own nationals”, said Ms. Bennoune. “They have a legal and moral obligation to act to protect the rights of Afghans, including the rights to access to education and to work, without discrimination, as well as the right of everyone to take part in cultural life.”
The Special Rapporteur said she was gravely concerned at reports of gross abuses by the Taliban, including attacks on minorities, the kidnapping of a woman human rights defender, the killing of an artist, and the exclusion of women from employment and education.
Ms. Bennoune recalled that the Taliban’s own cultural officials in 2001 had attacked the country’s national museum, destroying thousands of the most important pieces, as well as banning many cultural practices, including music.
ADB/Jawad Jalali
Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, pictured in June 2020.
“Afghan cultural rights defenders have worked tirelessly and at great risk since then to reconstruct and protect this heritage, as well as to create new culture. Afghan cultures are rich, dynamic and syncretic and entirely at odds with the harsh worldview of the Taliban,” she said.
“Governments which think that they can live with ‘Pax Taliban’ will find that this is grave error that destroys Afghan lives, rights and cultures, and eviscerates important advances that had been made in culture and education in the last two decades with international support and through tireless local efforts.”
Ms. Bennoune said such a policy will harm Afghans most but will also setback the struggle against fundamentalism and extremism, and their harmful effects on cultures, everywhere in the world, threatening the rights and security of all.
Special Rapporteurs, like Ms. Bennoune, are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor specific countries or thematic issues. They serve in their individual capacity and are not UN staff, nor do they receive a salary from the Organization.
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“It is heartbreaking to witness the challenges faced by human rights defenders in Afghanistan, especially after the Taliban’s takeover. We must stand together to support and protect those risking their lives to promote equality and preserve cultural heritage in the country.”
“It is heartbreaking to witness Afghanistan being left in the hands of a fundamentalist group like the Taliban, known for their abhorrent disregard for human rights, especially towards women and cultural diversity. Urgent action must be taken to support and assist the brave human rights defenders striving to preserve Afghanistan’s cultural heritage in the face of this crisis.”
“It is heartbreaking to witness the situation in Afghanistan deteriorate so rapidly. We must not turn a blind eye to the urgent need to protect the human rights defenders, especially those advocating for women’s and cultural rights. It is imperative that countries come together to provide assistance and ensure the safety of those at risk of persecution.”
“It is deplorable that the world has abandoned Afghanistan to a fundamentalist group like the Taliban whose catastrophic human rights record, including practice of gender apartheid, use of cruel punishments and systematic destruction of cultural heritage, when in power, is well documented,” said Karim Ali, the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. The independent rights experts called for all forms of culture and cultural heritage to be protected, as well as those who defend it, and implored cultural and educational institutions everywhere to extend invitations to Afghan artists, cultural workers and students, especially women and members of minorities, to enable them to continue their work in safety.
It is appalling that Afghanistan is left at the mercy of a group like the Taliban, known for their abysmal human rights violations. The urgent call to protect human rights defenders, specifically focusing on women’s and cultural rights, is crucial in this dire situation. It is imperative for nations to step up and offer assistance to those in need, ensuring the safety and well-being of all vulnerable individuals in Afghanistan.
“It is heartbreaking that the world has turned a blind eye to Afghanistan in the hands of a group like the Taliban, whose egregious human rights violations, including enforcing gender segregation, implementing barbaric punishments, and systematically erasing cultural heritage, are well-documented,” stated Karima Bennoune, the UN Special Rapporteur for cultural rights.
It’s heartbreaking to witness the cultural devastation faced by the people of Afghanistan. We must all come together to support and protect human rights defenders, especially those advocating for women’s and cultural rights. It’s crucial that we take immediate action to ensure their safety and provide them with the assistance they desperately need.
“It is devastating that the world appears to have forsaken Afghanistan to a fundamentalist group like the Taliban whose abhorrent human rights track record, including enforcement of gender apartheid, implementation of brutal punishments, and systematic obliteration of cultural legacy, while in authority, is extensively documented,” expressed Karina Smith, the UN Special Rapporteur focusing on cultural rights. The independent rights specialists have called for the safeguarding of all types of culture and cultural heritage, along with the defenders of these values, and urged cultural and educational institutions globally to offer opportunities to Afghan artists, cultural professionals, and students, particularly women and members of minority groups, to support them in carrying on with their pursuits in a secure environment. “It is not sufficient for foreign administrations to ensure the protection of their own citizens,” articulated Ms. Smith. “They have a legal and ethical duty to take action to uphold the rights of Afghans, includi
“It is deplorable that the world has abandoned Afghanistan to a fundamentalist group like the Taliban whose catastrophic human rights record, including practice of gender apartheid, use of cruel punishments and systematic destruction of cultural heritage, when in power, is well documented,” said Karima Bennoune, the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights.
It’s heart-wrenching to see the situation in Afghanistan deteriorate so rapidly, but it’s crucial that we come together to support and protect human rights defenders, especially those working tirelessly for women’s rights and cultural preservation. The international community must step up and provide assistance to those in need, ensuring their safety and freedom to continue their important work.
“It is deplorable that the world has abandoned Afghanistan to a fundamentalist group like the Taliban whose catastrophic human rights record, including practice of gender apartheid, use of cruel punishments and systematic destruction of cultural heritage, when in power, is well documented,” said Emma Johnson, the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. The independent rights experts called for all forms of culture and cultural heritage to be protected, as well as those who defend it, and implored cultural and educational institutions everywhere to extend invitations to Afghan artists, cultural workers and students, especially women and members of minorities, to enable them to continue their work in safety. “It is not enough for foreign governments to secure the safety of their own nationals”, said Ms. Johnson. “They have a legal and moral obligation to act to protect the rights of Afghans, includi
It is deplorable that the world has abandoned Afghanistan to a fundamentalist group like the Taliban whose catastrophic human rights record, including the practice of gender apartheid, use of cruel punishments, and systematic destruction of cultural heritage, when in power, is well documented. We must all come together to protect the rights of Afghans, including women and minorities, and support human rights defenders in their crucial work.
“It is heartbreaking that the international community has turned away from Afghanistan, leaving it in the hands of a radical group like the Taliban who have a horrific track record of violating human rights, imposing gender oppression, and destroying cultural treasures. Karima Bennoune, the UN Special Rapporteur on cultural rights, is right in calling for urgent protection of human rights defenders, especially those advocating for women’s and cultural rights. We must all step up to support Afghan artists and cultural workers, ensuring their safety and continuation of their vital work.”