Australia Pursues Legal Action Over Taliban Restrictions on Afghan Women
Bareen Media – Australia says it is continuing legal action with Canada, Germany and the Netherlands to hold Afghanistan accountable under international law for violations of the rights of women and girls.
The four countries launched the initiative under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), to which Afghanistan is a party. The action was formally announced in September 2024 and is being pursued under Article 29 of the convention.
Australia says the Taliban’s restrictions have severely affected the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, including their access to education, employment, movement and participation in public life. Canberra has said it will continue working with its partners to hold Afghanistan accountable for its international obligations.
The four countries have called on Afghanistan to address their concerns through dialogue. More than 20 other countries subsequently expressed support for the initiative and called for an end to discrimination against Afghan women and girls.
Australia has stressed that the legal action does not amount to political recognition of the Taliban. The Australian government says it does not recognise the Taliban as the legitimate representatives of the Afghan people and has no intention of accepting a Taliban-appointed diplomat or other representative.
The Australian government also says Afghan women and civil society organisations will be consulted during the process. The legal case remains in its early stages, and Australia says further steps under CEDAW may be considered as the process develops.
