Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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53.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take to protest against the ban on women's voices and bare faces in public imposed by the Taliban government in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34973/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The recent laws introduced by the Taliban represent another truly shocking abuse of the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and I condemn them in the strongest terms.

The imposed dress code which orders women to cover their bodies and faces in public and the ban on women being heard in public constitute egregious abuses of their human rights, including the fundamental principle of non-discrimination and their right to freedom of expression. Other provisions in the laws undermine the right to due process and to freely practice one's religion.

On 26 August, Ireland joined other EU Member States in speaking out against these new provisions in a statement by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs on behalf of the EU. The statement outlined that such actions by the Taliban cannot be tolerated and urged the Taliban to end their systematic and systemic abuses against Afghan women and girls which may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to which Afghanistan is a State Party.

Ireland also consistently raises its voice in international fora, including the UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, to highlight the human rights situation in Afghanistan and condemn the oppression of and discrimination against women and girls. Those responsible for these abuses must be held accountable.

Through our work in the UN, EU and other fora, we will continue to highlight this appalling situation, give voice to the women of Afghanistan and advocate for their inclusion in decision making processes and global conversations relating to the rights of women and girls and the future of their country. I am looking forward to co-hosting such a discussion during this year's UN General Assembly High Level Week.

We must confront the gross human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban and call for the full reversal of the Taliban’s discriminatory and draconian decrees. Sustainable peace and a flourishing society are only possible when women and girls are included, and human rights are upheld.