Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his response to the gross human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40565/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have repeatedly condemned the gross, widespread and systematic human rights abuses by the Taliban across Afghanistan, particularly against women, girls and individuals from marginalised communities.

In August 2024, on the third anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, I issued a statement strongly condemning the gross human rights abuses carried out by the Taliban and called for the full reversal of the Taliban’s discriminatory and draconian decrees. I was clear in my reaffirmation of Ireland’s commitment and support to the people of Afghanistan and calling on those responsible for gross and widespread human rights abuses to be held accountable for their actions.

The appalling restrictions and measures imposed by the Taliban curtailing the basic rights of Afghan women and girls are a particular concern. During my recent attendance at the UN General Assembly High Level Week, I was honoured to co-host an event entitled ‘The Inclusion of Women in the Future of Afghanistan’, alongside Indonesia, Switzerland and Qatar, and in partnership with the Women’s Forum on Afghanistan. The event was extremely successful in highlighting how the fundamental human rights of women and girls are under appalling and unprecedented attack since the Taliban regained power and urging intensified international efforts to redress this situation. In my address, I pledged continued support for the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan and made clear that Ireland will work to ensure that the issue remains a priority on the international agenda.

Ireland regularly raises the human rights situation in Afghanistan at the UN Human Rights Council, including at its most recent session where we delivered a statement denouncing the continued enforcement of restrictive decrees that curtail the human rights of women and girls. Ireland also called for the rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to which Afghanistan is a State Party, to be upheld. During the Universal Periodic Review of Afghanistan on 29 April 2024, we repeated our calls for those responsible for all abuses of human rights in Afghanistan to be held accountable for their actions.

Ireland will continue to urge effective international action to address the unacceptable human rights situation within Afghanistan. I will also ensure that Ireland continues to do all it can, through our diplomatic efforts, to amplify the voices of Afghan women, including those inside Afghanistan.