US imposes visa restrictions on Taliban members involved in repression of women and girls

The USA is imposing new visa restrictions on sure present and former Taliban members, non-state safety group members and others who’re believed to be concerned in repressing the rights of girls and ladies in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduced on Wednesday.

The announcement comes greater than a month after the Taliban introduced bans on ladies attending universities and dealing with non-governmental organizations. Blinken cited these choices as contributing to the brand new visa bans and stated the US condemns the actions in “the strongest of phrases.”

“The Taliban’s most up-to-date edicts ban ladies from universities and from working with NGOs, and additional the Taliban’s earlier measures that closed secondary faculties to ladies and restrict the flexibility of girls and ladies to take part within the Afghan society and financial system,” Blinken stated in a State Division assertion.

“Via these choices, the Taliban have once more proven their disregard for the welfare of the Afghan folks,” he added.

The State Division assertion didn’t title those that are impacted by the transfer.

Blinken referenced different actions by the Taliban which have undermined the rights of girls and ladies because the group took management of the nation after the chaotic US navy withdrawal in 2021.

“To date, the Taliban’s actions have pressured over a million school-aged Afghan ladies and younger ladies out of the classroom, with extra ladies out of universities and numerous Afghan ladies out of the workforce. These numbers will solely develop as time goes on, worsening the nation’s already dire financial and humanitarian crises,” Blinken stated.

Deeming equal entry to training and work an “important element to the vitality and resiliency of whole populations,” Blinken stated these steps will harm the Taliban’s standing globally.

“The Taliban can not anticipate the respect and help of the worldwide group till they respect the human rights and basic freedoms of all Afghans, together with ladies and ladies,” Blinken stated.

Blinken dedicated as soon as once more to working alongside allies to impose “vital prices” on the Taliban’s actions.