The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan today called on the Taliban authorities to accept global obligations regarding human rights, for the protection and prosperity of future generations.
The call follows a reported suspension of medical education and training for women and girls.
Authorities did not confirm the suspension or respond to reports that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had ordered educational institutions to stop providing medical courses for women.
"Unfortunately, we continue to see human rights being suppressed in Afghanistan. There is a constant, dangerous erosion of human rights protection, with women and girls bearing the brunt," said Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UN mission in Afghanistan.
The Taliban systematically discriminate against women, who, according to the mission, are excluded from most areas of daily and public life, including education and work.
"If Afghans, especially women and girls, continue to be denied their rights, this represents a clear and deliberate failure," said Fiona Fraser, representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The Taliban routinely reject criticism of their policy, calling it meddling and an "inconsistent representation of the reality on the ground."
The main spokesman of the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, said today that the proof of human rights in the country can be seen in the reduced number of victims.
Mujahid, without referring to the UN statement, said that the courts and other institutions are at the service of all Afghans to help them resolve disputes or difficulties.
"People's rights were lost during the war and now they have been restored," Mujahid said.
In an audio clip posted on social network X, he said countries should see human rights from the perspective of Islam, Afghan culture and beliefs.
He said that it is unprincipled for one country to impose its culture and values on another.
"We have our religion, we have our beliefs, we have our culture. We can define our rights and recognize our obligations in respecting these rights," Mujahid added.
Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said that while it is the government's responsibility to implement "God's will in Afghanistan," Islam should not be represented in a way that excludes people who disagree with officials.
Haqqani heads a powerful network blamed for some of the attacks on Afghanistan's former Western-backed government.
But in the past three years, he has given several speeches acknowledging the problems facing Afghans and alluding to his dissatisfaction with the Taliban's current style of leadership and decision-making.
"We shouldn't think that the sky will fall if people don't follow us," Hakani said.
Haqqani is still wanted by the United States with a $10 million reward for his involvement in the attack that killed an American citizen.
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