Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Report on Afghanistan
Statement by the Delegation of the United States of America
As Delivered by Ambassador Michèle Taylor
Human Rights Council – 49th Session
March 4, 2022
The United States remains concerned about reports that Taliban members have engaged in widespread human rights abuses as well as reports of backsliding in freedoms of peaceful assembly, association, expression, movement, education, employment, and political participation, particularly impacting women, children, journalists and media workers, human rights defenders, and members of minority groups.
We are also concerned about Taliban restrictions on access and information which may signal significant under reporting of abuses.
We continue to call on the Taliban and all Afghan parties to allow unhindered humanitarian access, respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, girls, and members of minority groups, cease retaliations and detentions, and establish an inclusive government.
We urge the Taliban to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan. This will be an important mechanism for documenting abuses, monitoring the developing human rights situation, and reporting to the United Nations.
Question: How is the Office of the High Commissioner planning to engage the Taliban on human rights issues? What can the UN do to hold the Taliban accountable for human rights abuses?