The Purple Saturdays Movement Commends Richard Bennett and Heather Barr for Their Recent Brave Actions

The Deputy Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch says that Richard Bennett’s new report on the “shocking and increasing harassment of Afghan women by the Taliban” is candid and critical.

Ms. Barr stated that the United Nations, in order to gain the cooperation of the Taliban, has also ignored the report of its special rapporteur. On Monday, Barr wrote on the Ex platform that the United Nations has excluded the issue of Afghan women from the Doha meeting.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, presented his latest report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan to the UN Human Rights Council today, Tuesday, June 18.

Heather Barr said: “The disappointing point is that the United Nations as a whole does not listen to its special rapporteur on human rights.”

The Deputy Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch added that Bennett’s report not only documents serious human rights violations in Afghanistan but also proposes practical steps for countries to hold the Taliban accountable for these violations.

Ms. Barr said that despite such a report on the widespread human rights violations under Taliban rule, the United Nations has granted concessions to this group for their participation in the third round of the Doha meeting. She said: “We found that the Taliban will participate in the third round of the Doha meeting based on the concessions the UN has granted them. This concession includes the absence of women in the third round of the Doha meeting and the exclusion of women’s rights and human rights issues from the agenda of this meeting.”

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Afghanistan, said in his new report on June 12 that gender apartheid as a crime against humanity is “the most accurate description of the institutionalized oppression” of women in Afghanistan. He called on governments to recognize gender apartheid as a crime against humanity. Bennett urged countries around the world to “refrain from normalizing and legitimizing the ruling Taliban authorities.” He emphasized that the “systematic oppression” of Afghan women should be one of the main topics in international meetings regarding Afghanistan and with the Taliban.

*The Purple Saturdays Movement Commends Richard Bennett and Heather Barr for Their Recent Brave Actions*

The Purple Saturdays movement extends its heartfelt thanks to Richard Bennett and Heather Barr for their recent courageous actions in highlighting the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan. Bennett’s incisive report on the escalating harassment and oppression of Afghan women by the Taliban and Barr’s vocal critique of the UN’s failure to prioritize women’s rights have both drawn critical international attention to these pressing issues.

However, the Purple Saturdays movement also issues a stern warning to certain civil society and women’s rights activists. The movement stresses that advocacy should not be limited to the reopening of schools and universities for girls beyond the sixth grade. Activists must resist the temptation to pursue any project under the guise of women’s rights that ultimately serves political agendas rather than genuine empowerment. The movement cautions against using the signatures of millions of women for political games and stresses the importance of maintaining integrity and focus on authentic advocacy.Additionally, the Purple Saturdays movement urges activists to remain vigilant against any attempts by the Taliban to influence or infiltrate their ranks. Allowing the Taliban to lobby within civil society groups undermines the struggle for women’s rights and can compromise the safety and future of countless Afghan women.The Purple Saturdays movement stands firm in its commitment to fighting for the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and calls on all activists and allies to maintain steadfast and genuine efforts in this critical endeavor.