AFGHANISTAN

Miscellaneous Statements

CEDAW A/57/38 (part I) (2002)

Chapter VII: Implementation of article 21 of the Convention

...

Action taken by the Committee under agenda item 6

...

2. Statement of solidarity with Afghan women

417. On the occasion of its twenty-sixth session, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women fully expresses its solidarity with, and support for, the women of Afghanistan.

418. Afghan women have suffered for a considerable time every privation known to humankind, losing all their fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, education, health and work.

419. The participation of Afghan women as full and equal partners with men is essential for the reconstruction and development of their country.

420. The Committee welcomes the resolve of the international community to assist in the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and calls upon all parties concerned to respect internationally recognized principles, norms and standards of human rights, particularly the human rights of women, which are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights, in all their actions and activities. The Committee considers this essential in order to achieve peace and stability in the country.

421. The Committee expresses the hope that the human rights of women, as provided for in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, signed by Afghanistan in 1980, will guide all actions in both the public and private spheres.

CEDAW A/65/38 (partI I) (2010)

...

Annex III

Decision 45/IV: Statement of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on the inclusion of the Afghan women in the process of peacebuilding, security and reconstruction in Afghanistan

1. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, mandated to monitor the implementation of the Convention of the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women by 186 States parties, including Afghanistan, welcomes the efforts of the Government of Afghanistan and its international allies on the new commitment to help secure a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future for Afghanistan, which was initiated at the 28 January 2010 London conference hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

2. The Committee wishes to remind the Government of Afghanistan and its international allies of the unique role and contribution of women in the timely resolution of crises and conflicts. The Committee also draws the attention of the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008), which underscore women's active participation in all peacebuilding efforts and recovery.

3. The Committee accordingly expresses its regret and deep concern about the exclusion of Afghan women from the high decision-making level of the conference and the absence of clear strategies to protect women's rights in the process of the discussions leading to negotiations with representatives of the Taliban. Any agreement reached with the Taliban should include a clear commitment for the respect and protection of women's human rights as set out in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other international human rights treaties to which Afghanistan is party.

4. The Committee emphasizes that Afghan women, who constitute the majority of the Afghan population, must be full and equal participants in decision-making, at all levels, in the process of peacebuilding, reconciliation, reconstruction, rebuilding and development of their country. Their voices and views, as well as their capacities, are fundamental and necessary for the sustainable establishment of a prosperous and peaceful Afghanistan, based on the rule of law, democracy, justice, human rights and gender equality. In that regard, the Committee urges the Government of Afghanistan and its international allies to ensure that women representatives are included in the upcoming peace and development dialogues and negotiations with the Taliban.

5. The Committee is concerned with the late submission of Afghanistan's initial and second reports under article 18 of the Convention and encourages the State party to seek technical assistance in the preparation of the report so as to be able to submit it as soon as possible. The Committee encourages the State party to consult civil society, particularly women's organizations, in the preparation of the report.

6. The Committee further urges the State party to give special attention to a critical review of all discriminatory laws and provisions, based on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against the Women. In particular, the Committee is concerned about the new personal status law of the Shiite minorities and the discriminatory nature of that law against women. The Committee reminds the Government of Afghanistan of its obligations under the Convention, particularly articles 2, 9 and 16, and urges the Government to repeal and modify the discriminatory provisions in the personal status and other laws.