New York— More than 50 countries issued a joint warning at the United Nations on International Human Rights Day, condemning the Taliban’s escalating restrictions and the worsening Afghanistan humanitarian crisis.
The statement, which was delivered in New York, marked one of the strongest collective responses to the collapse of basic freedoms and the rising humanitarian needs inside Afghanistan.
Joint statement highlights Afghanistan humanitarian crisis and shrinking rights
In the joint declaration, countries including France, Germany, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan said the Taliban’s discriminatory policies have created “one of the direst human rights records globally.”
They warned that Afghan women and girls face an “institutionalized system of segregation, exclusion, and disregard for their dignity,” with severe restrictions on education, employment, movement, and participation in public life.
The statement said these bans are “a profound attack on human rights” and stressed that impunity for abuses is a direct driver of instability.
Delegations called on the Taliban to “immediately cease and reverse” their restrictions and allow independent monitoring without obstruction.
They warned that human rights are not separate from peace and security but “a prerequisite” for stability.
At the Security Council meeting, the United Kingdom’s Deputy Permanent Representative Archie Young said the promise of universal rights in Afghanistan “remains tragically unfulfilled.”
He noted that more than 100 Taliban edicts have dismantled women’s freedoms.
“Girls cannot attend school after the age of 12,” he said, adding that the Taliban’s ban on women working in UN offices has continued for months.
Rising humanitarian needs add pressure on Taliban authorities
The humanitarian situation remains severe, with UN briefers warning that in 2026 an estimated 21.9 million Afghans will need assistance.
Ambassador Young said the UK remains a major donor, allocating up to 201 million dollars this year for life-saving support.
He expressed concern over worsening food security, urging the international community to ensure that “life-saving assistance is available to the most vulnerable.”
The joint statement also condemned the repression of journalists, civil society, and minorities, along with public punishments and arbitrary arrests.
Afghan activists continue to call for intra-Afghan dialogue and the restoration of women’s rights, urging global partners not to abandon them.
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