Deputy Minister Benedetto Della Vedova took part in the Special Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) on the “severe human rights situation in Afghanistan’’.
The Deputy Minister expressed Italy’s concern for the most vulnerable people in that country – women and children, those who defend human rights, journalists, media workers, and people who belong to ethnic and religious minorities and the LGBTI community.
“Those who hold power and exercise authority in the field are responsible for protecting civilians and defending human rights and international humanitarian law,” said Deputy Minister Della Vedova. “The important results must not be cancelled out, especially women’s rights, including the right to education, work, and freedom of movement, as well as their significant involvement in society and the decision-making process”.
“If this Council wishes to preserve its crucial role and credibility, it should be able to ensure and deliver a response that is in line with the severity of the situation on the ground,” stressed the Deputy Minister. Italy is therefore in favour of the urgent setting up of a mechanism by the HRC for monitoring the human rights situation in the country that is international, entirely legitimate, independent, and proportionate to the challenges facing it. It should be in line with the expectations expressed by Afghanistan and called for by the European Parliament (“Fact-Finding Mechanism” or Special Rapporteur). Italy also hopes that the necessary consensus can be reached within the Human Rights Council itself.
“Kabul’s falling into the hands of the Taliban has haken the world. The international community must now show that it will not give in to obscurantist forces, that it will remain united, and that it will express its unwavering commitment to the freedom and rights of the entire Afghan population,” concluded Deputy Minister Della Vedova.
