The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, took the floor today during the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, in the framework of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.
The report of the Special Rapporteur “highlights once again the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in the Afghanistan since the Taliban seized control of the territory as well as the dire humanitarian situation, in particular for millions of children deprived of basic rights and essential services”, stated the Permanent Representative. He added that Italy “condemns all violations and abuses and remains deeply worried especially about the systematic discrimination and violence against women and girls, in particular with regard to the equal access to work and education, as well as against ethnic and religious minorities”, renewing the call on the de facto authorities “to protect the rights of minorities and ensure the respect of human rights of women and girls and their full, equal, effective and meaningful participation in all spheres of life and political processes”. Furthermore he stated that “Civic space must be restored and NGOs, journalists and media workers shall be allowed to operate freely” while also underlining that “Perpetrators of all violations and abuses, including attacks on ethnic and religious minorities, must be held accountable”.
In conclusion the Permanent Representative affirmed that “Italy reiterates its support for the mandates of the Special Rapporteur and UNAMA, the appointment of a UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan and the ongoing ICC investigation”.
Read the full statement.
