Act Daily News
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The United States 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 girls attending universities and dealing with non-governmental organizations. Blinken cited these choices as contributing to the brand new visa bans and mentioned the US condemns the actions in “the strongest of terms.”
“The Taliban’s most recent edicts ban women from universities and from working with NGOs, and further the Taliban’s previous measures that closed secondary schools to girls and limit the ability of women and girls to participate in the Afghan society and economy,” Blinken mentioned in a State Department assertion.
“Through these decisions, the Taliban have again shown their disregard for the welfare of the Afghan people,” he added.
The State Department 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 army withdrawal in 2021.
“So far, the Taliban’s actions have forced over one million school-aged Afghan girls and young women out of the classroom, with more women out of universities and countless Afghan women out of the workforce. These numbers will only grow as time goes on, worsening the country’s already dire economic and humanitarian crises,” Blinken mentioned.
Deeming equal entry to training and work an “essential component to the vitality and resiliency of entire populations,” Blinken mentioned these steps will damage the Taliban’s standing globally.
“The Taliban cannot expect the respect and support of the international community until they respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, including women and girls,” Blinken mentioned.
Blinken dedicated as soon as once more to working alongside allies to impose “significant costs” on the Taliban’s actions.
Source: www.cnn.com