The U.N. mission in Afghanistan urged the country鈥檚 on Tuesday to embrace global human rights obligations for the protection and prosperity of future generations.
The mission鈥檚 call follows increasing alarm over of medical education and training for women and girls.
Authorities have neither confirmed the suspension nor responded to the reports, which said that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered educational institutions to stop providing medical courses for females.
The U.N. mission said that the theme for this year鈥檚 International Human Rights Day emphasized how rights empowered people to build a better future.
鈥淩egrettably, we continue to see in Afghanistan,鈥� said Roza Otunbayeva, who is the head of the mission. 鈥淭here is an ongoing, dangerous erosion of human rights protections, with women and girls bearing the brunt.鈥�
The human rights record of authorities was especially marked by their and girls, who are excluded from most areas of daily and public life, including education and work, according to the mission.
鈥淚f Afghans, in particular women and girls, continue to be denied their rights, this constitutes a clear and intentional failure to protect and be responsible for the well-being of all who live in Afghanistan,鈥� said Fiona Frazer, representative of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights in Afghanistan.
Authorities routinely reject criticism of their policies, calling it interference or inconsistent with realities on the ground.
On Tuesday, the government鈥檚 chief spokesman, , said that proof of the country鈥檚 human rights could be seen in the reduced number of casualties.
Muhajid, without referencing the U.N. statement, said that courts and other institutions were at the service of all Afghans to help them resolve disputes or difficulties.
People鈥檚 rights were lost during the war and these were now restored, Mujahid told state-run media RTA.
In an audio clip posted on X, he said that countries should see human rights from the perspective of Islam, Afghan culture and beliefs. He said that it was unprincipled for one country to impose its culture and values on another.
鈥淲e have our religion, we have our beliefs, we have our culture,鈥� Mujahid said in the clip. 鈥淲e can define our rights and recognize our obligations in observing these rights.鈥�
On Sunday, Interior Minister said that while it was the government鈥檚 responsibility to implement God鈥檚 will in Afghanistan, Islam shouldn't be represented or monopolized in a way that excluded people who disagreed with officials.
Rulers shouldn't impose their will on others, he told people at a madrassa in Kabul, his appearing to project a softer and more pragmatic side to him.
Haqqani leads a powerful network blamed for some of the bloodiest attacks against Afghanistan鈥檚 former Western-backed government.
But, in the past three years, he has made some speeches acknowledging the hardships facing Afghans and alluding to his discontent with the Taliban's current style of leadership and decision-making.
Those in government shouldn't be narrow-minded, Haqqani said in a 12-minute audio file shared by the Interior Ministry with The Associated Press on Monday. He didn't mention any names.
鈥淲e should not think the sky will fall if people do not follow us,鈥� the minister said. The government was unresponsive to people because it didn't have answers to their questions, creating a challenge within the Taliban's Islamic system, he said.
Haqqani is still wanted by the U.S. on an up to $10 million bounty over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults.
The Associated Press
