4
Oct
2023
Watch
Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials
Mr President, Commissioner, dear colleagues, let me start by welcoming Ahmad Massoud, a leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, present with his delegation here in this hall. I am saluting you as a son of the great Ahmad Shah Massoud, a great leader and guerrilla leader of Afghanistan decades ago. Thank you. Despite the announced general amnesty by Taliban, many former Afghan Government officials and armed force members, as well as human rights defenders, are facing direct harassment, imprisonment, torture and revenge killings. Hundreds and hundreds of cases of such violations have been reported. These persecuted people have no place in a country ruled by Taliban. Colleagues, I appeal to you to support the nomination of the Afghan education rights activists Parasto Hakim, Marzia Amiri and Matiullah Wesa for this year’s Sakharov Prize. It would be the best way to salute those people fighting for democracy and different (end of speech off mic) ...