Nasir Ahmad Faiq, Afghanistan’s chargé d’affaires to the United Nations, says defending human rights in Afghanistan can come at the cost of a person’s freedom, security, and life.
In a statement published on Wednesday, October 21, Faiq said he raised the issue before the Third Committee of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
He said the Taliban target human rights defenders, particularly women, through arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, and threats against their families.
Faiq added that women protesters and human rights defenders held in Taliban detention face sexual harassment, threats of sexual violence, and sexual abuse.
The acting head of Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN said fear of retaliation and social stigma prevents people from reporting human rights violations and seeking accountability.
He emphasized that those who advocate for girls’ education, support survivors of violence, or document human rights violations face serious threats to their safety and lives.
According to Faiq, threats against the families of human rights defenders make them even more vulnerable and discourage others from speaking out.
The post Faiq: Defending Human Rights in Afghanistan Can Cost People Their Lives appeared first on Hasht-e Subh.