Afghanistan: Italy supports Afghani people in its “darkest hour”

GENEVA, JUNE 15 – Italy is proud to support the United Nations efforts in Afghanistan, including through OHCHR and UNAMA, to promote the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the the country, said the Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Ambassador Gian Lorenzo Cornado, taking the floor today during the Interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet oral update, in the framework of the 50th session of the Human Rights Council.

The Afghanistan people are experiencing some of “the darkest moments” in a generation the UN human rights chief told Human Rights Council: “Let me be clear: what we are witnessing today in Afghanistan is the institutionalized, systematic oppression of women,” the High Commissioner spelled out. “Ethnic and religious minorities have also been directly attacked. I remind the de facto authorities of their responsibility to protect all Afghans subject to their control,” she stated.

“We thank the High Commissioner and her Office for devoting sustained attention to the human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly to those who are in the most vulnerable situations and are exposed to higher risks, women and girls, children, human rights defenders, journalists, persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTI persons”, Ambassador Cornado stated, stressing that Italy welcomes the recent visits of the High Commissioner and of the Special Rapporteur in Afghanistan and “is proud to support the UN efforts, including through UNAMA, to monitor the human rights situation, offer support and advice to civil society, as well as promote the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms and call for full accountability for violations and abuses”.

He further underlined that Italy is deeply concerned for the “the increasing restrictions imposed on the rights and freedoms of women and girls, including the right to education and freedom of movement, and on their full participation in all spheres of public life” and calls on the Taliban “to urgently take steps to lift these restrictions and eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls”

“We condemn the ongoing arbitrary and extrajudicial killings and are appalled by reports of sexual and gender based violence”, added the Ambassador, while also expressing grave concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

In conclusion he underlined that Italy “stands with the Afghan people, who deserve to live in safety, security and dignity” and will continue to “support all efforts to strengthen the promotion and protection of human rights in Afghanistan, as well as the work of the High Commissioner and her Office and other UN entities”. Read the full statement here.