SUHAKAM statement on the situation in Afghanistan

The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM) is deeply concerned with the deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan in recent months. 

On 16 August 2021, the UN human rights expert had issued a statement urging swift global action to protect human rights and prevent ‘civilian slaughter’ in Afghanistan and the need to protect the most vulnerable in Afghanistan including children, women, and girls, those internally displaced, the disabled, human rights defenders, journalists and the media, educators and civil society actors. 

SUHAKAM was apprised of the dire situation in Afghanistan during the 26th Annual General Meeting of the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institution (APF) held on 15 September 2021.  

SUHAKAM was informed that there is a lot of chaos and uncertainties since the capital city of Afghanistan, Kabul, was taken over by the Taliban on 15 August 2021 and every member and staff of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) is at risk due to the Commission work on documenting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and violations of international humanitarian law implicated with the Taliban.  

AIHRC had focused its efforts on evacuating their staff although some of them may have fled to neighbouring countries. At the same time, AIHRC strongly hopes that the Commission will not be dissolved. 

AIHRC added that the independent media and human rights activists also face similar threats where they were beaten and tortured by the Taliban. It is worth noting that as of July 2020, a total of seven AIHRC Commissioners and staff members have been killed by terrorist attacks.  

Read the full statement here.  

Date: 17 September 2021 

Source: Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)