Iran calls on Taliban to respect human rights

Zahra Ershadi, the ambassador and deputy permanent representative of Iran to the UN, made the remark in an address to a Tuesday meeting of the UN Security Council (UNSC) themed, ‘Women, Peace and Security: Women’s economic inclusion and participation as a key to building peace,’ Tasnim News Agency reported.

She noted that today the world is ravaged by miscellaneous humanitarian crises, including but not limited to armed conflicts, climate change and, recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the same time, women play an undeniable role in dealing with such challenges, particularly those related to promoting dialogue and confidence in the peace and security processes.”

Ershadi said it is a well-known fact that encouraging women to engage in the peace process increases the likelihood of achieving the desired result.

Thus, women’s greater participation and inclusion in the peace process helps increase the efficiency of effort to provide humanitarian assistance and improve the level of civilian protection, contributes to the political resolution of disputes as well as maintenance of long-term peace, and accelerates economic recovery, she noted.

“Numerous UN resolutions have highlighted the importance of women's empowerment in armed-conflict prevention, resolution, and post-conflict situations, as well as their greater efforts to maintain international peace and security.”

Ershadi stressed that given their important role, women's political, social, and economic empowerment is critical as it enhances their resistance in times of crisis and encourages their participation in peace and reconciliation processes, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation initiatives.

Promoting women's rights, dignity and empowerment is among the prerequisites for the development of all societies, she added.

The envoy said since its establishment over four decades ago, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always considered the promotion of cultural, social, economic, and political status of women and girls as a key element in its policymaking, legislation, and national planning.

She gave the assurance that Iran has made remarkable achievements in this area despite U.S. illegal and inhumane sanctions.

Ershadi regretted that Palestinian women and girls continue to suffer as a result of the decades-long occupation and human rights violations, as well as the Israeli regime's colonial and apartheid policies and practices in the occupied Palestinian territory.

In Afghanistan, she said, the current situation has severely affected the rights of the country’s women, including the political and socioeconomic rights.

Afghan women’s rights, such as the right to education, work, and political participation, must be respected.

Source: Iran Daily