The Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Vincenzo Grassi, took the floor today during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, in the framework of the 56th session of the Human Rights Council.
“It is essential that the international community and this Council continue to address the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, which remains extremely dire, with particular regard to the gender-based discrimination and violence against women and girls, described in the report as “gender apartheid”, stated the Permanent Representative, adding that “the increasing restrictions imposed on their fundamental rights – including the rights to education, work and freedom of movement – are unacceptable and must be lifted”.
While reaffirming the importance of justice and accountability, he said that Italy is “alarmed that the systematic oppression of women and girls may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity defined in the Rome Statute, to which Afghanistan is a party”. The Ambassador underlined that “Italy remains also deeply concerned about the impact of the current situation on millions of children deprived of basic rights and services, as well as on ethnic and religious groups and minorities” and recalled that “Afghanistan must respect its obligations under international law, including CEDAW, Convention on the Rights of the Child and other treaties to which it is also a party”.
In conclusion the Permanent Representative affirmed that “Italy underlines that the full, equal, effective and meaningful participation of Afghan women in all spheres of society as well as in the international processes is crucial to ensure sustainable peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan”.
Read the full statement.
