By Rukhshana Media
Documenting the Taliban’s violation of international law in a new report released on Thursday, Amnesty International demanded for the immediate re-opening of “all secondary schools” for girls in Afghanistan.
On September 17, the Taliban’s Education Ministry called on boys to return to school, and a day later, they did. There was no mention of girls and since then, teenage girls have been effectively banned from secondary schools across the country.
Amnesty International’s report, which is based on testimonies of 21 students, teachers, and school administrators from at least 9 provinces, warned that the discriminatory and unjust policies of the Taliban have disproportionately affected girls.
“At present, girls in Afghanistan are effectively barred from returning to secondary school. Across the country, the rights and aspirations of an entire generation of girls are dismissed and crushed,” Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary-General, is quoted as saying.
The report also warned that the Taliban’s abuse of power includes harassing and threatening teachers and students and the use of schools as military bases.
“The Taliban should immediately re-open all secondary schools to girls, put a stop to all harassment, threats, and attacks against teachers and students, and cease any military use of schools in Afghanistan,” added Callamard.
“The policies currently pursued by the Taliban are discriminatory, unjust and violate international law,” Amnesty International’s statement reads.
