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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a statement Friday, condemning the increase in violence against peaceful protesters in Afghanistan over the past month at the hands of the Taliban.
The statement noted the use of live ammunition, batons and whips by Taliban forces against protesters, including large numbers of women who have rallied in recent days to assert their rights. Reports have come from all parts of the country of beatings and arrests of protesters and journalists covering the protests. There are also reports of at least four people killed and more than two dozen injured when the Taliban used live fire in an attempt to disperse the crowds.
OHCHR called on the Taliban “to immediately end the use of force and arbitrary detention of those exercising their right to peaceful assembly and of journalists covering the protests.” He noted that peaceful protest is one of the rights protected by article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which Afghanistan is a signatory. International law requires that force be used only as a last resort, and that journalists covering rallies and demonstrations must not face reprisals or harassment.
OHCHR concluded that “the Taliban should stop using force and guarantee freedom of peaceful assembly and expression, including as a means for people to voice their concerns and exercise their right to participate in business. public ”, because“ it is crucial that these people in power listen to [protestors’] voice.”
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