Irish Parliament to Hold Meeting on the Situation of Women in Afghanistan

Photo: © Mohsen Karimi / AFP

The Irish Parliament has announced that its Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade will hold a meeting to examine the human rights situation in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on the treatment of women and girls.

In a statement published on the Irish Parliament’s website, it said the meeting will take place today, Tuesday (21 April), at 3:30 pm local time in Room 2 of Leinster House.

According to the statement, Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Hassan Alif Faiz from the Human Rights Defenders Committee and Mahbouba Faiz will participate in the meeting.

John Lahart, Deputy Chair of the committee, said that the human rights situation in Afghanistan has significantly deteriorated since August 2021, with widespread restrictions imposed on women and girls, including a ban on education beyond primary level, restrictions on employment and limitations on freedom of movement.

He added that the meeting will also examine the situation of ethnic and religious minorities, including the Hazara community, as well as reports of arbitrary detention, restrictions on freedom of expression and gender based violence.

He emphasised that the session is part of the committee’s ongoing review of Ireland’s foreign policy and its engagement in supporting human rights internationally.