Volker Turk: Afghan Women Are Under an Unprecedented System of Discrimination in the World

He stressed that these policies are carried out with the support of the Taliban administration and that Afghan women and girls are subjected to a system of discrimination that is unprecedented in the world today.

During the session, Mr. Turk voiced his worries about Afghanistan's long-term future and the self-inflicted harm the country faces.

Referring to the global state of women's rights, he noted that in various nations—ranging from autocracies to democracies—women and girls are deprived of their rights in different ways, and this crisis demands serious attention.

Volker Turk also addressed the human rights situation in Iran at the session, mentioning the temporary suspension of the hijab law in that country. He urged Iranian authorities to completely and permanently abolish this law and to reform other measures that are 'discriminatory' against women and girls. Additionally, he highlighted the significant increase in executions in Iran and called on Iranian officials to immediately halt the use of the death penalty.