Afghan groups and individuals have criticized the UN’s representative for Afghanistan, calling her comments on girls’ education in religious schools “irresponsible” and accusing her of normalizing the ban on girls’ education. They argued that schools under Taliban control serve as places for “extremism and radicalization.” This criticism was outlined in an open letter signed by […]
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Afghan groups and individuals have criticized the UN’s representative for Afghanistan, calling her comments on girls’ education in religious schools “irresponsible” and accusing her of normalizing the ban on girls’ education.
They argued that schools under Taliban control serve as places for “extremism and radicalization.” This criticism was outlined in an open letter signed by over 140 organizations, civil activists, human rights defenders, judges, defense lawyers, and Afghan writers, addressed to Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
In the letter, during a Security Council meeting, they expressed their objections to the remarks made by Raza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s representative in Afghanistan.
Ms. Otunbayeva, during this meeting, stated, “There is ample evidence that girls are allowed to attend religious schools.” She added, “Taliban do not allow any oversight of these schools, and we do not know what they teach there.”
These organizations and activists have emphasized that Afghanistan, and particularly Afghan women, require modern education, while religious schools do not provide modern subjects.
The letter stated, “Religious subjects are primarily taught in these schools. Several reports have shown that individuals studying in religious schools under Taliban control have become radicalized and inclined towards extremism and insurgency.”
The remarks made by the UN Secretary-General’s representative regarding the education of girls in religious schools have drawn criticism from some human rights organizations.
Heather Barr, the acting co-director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, argued that these schools are not an “acceptable substitute” for formal education. She added that Raza Otunbayeva is “ready to make huge and profoundly harmful concessions” when it comes to Afghan girls and the Taliban.
This senior human rights official wrote on the Ex-Nas website that for a country whose children are only learning “extremist doctrines,” there is no future.
In the letter addressed to the UN Secretary-General, Afghan organizations and activists also noted that “Afghanistan cannot progress with religious studies, and the country is already facing a shortage of skilled female labor in all sectors, including healthcare.”
After returning to power, the Taliban has shown particular interest in the reconstruction of religious schools and mosques across the country.
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