United Nations Gender Accountability and Justice Conference
Geneva, November 28, 2024
Hosted by #WFA Women’s Forum on Afghanistan in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Chile and Spain
Hosted by #WFA Women’s Forum on Afghanistan in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Chile and Spain
Today in Geneva, the United Nations Gender Accountability and Justice Conference brought together global leaders, policymakers, and advocates, focusing on the urgent need for justice and accountability for Afghan women and girls facing systematic oppression. Organized by the Women’s Forum on Afghanistan (WFA), in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Chile and Spain, this landmark event highlighted the unrelenting violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan and the collective global effort to address them.
The conference featured a powerful assembly of women leaders and experts demanding concrete action to uphold justice and safeguard the rights of Afghan women under the Taliban regime. Discussions focused on international legal mechanisms, advocacy strategies, and the necessity of sustained global attention to the plight of Afghan women and girls.
In a significant development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile issued a press release announcing that six governments — Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico — have formally referred the Situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This referral underscores the gravity of the ongoing crimes and the collective responsibility of the international community to seek justice for the victims.
The investigation into Afghanistan’s situation was initially launched in 2020, with the ICC Prosecutor resuming investigations in 2022 after a temporary suspension. The referral specifically calls on the ICC to prioritize crimes committed against Afghan women and girls, who have been subjected to systematic human rights violations since the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021. These crimes fall under the ICC's jurisdiction and are critical to determining accountability and possible prosecution of perpetrators.
The signatories reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Rome Statute and the ICC, emphasizing their dedication to advancing gender justice and protecting women’s rights globally.
The conference closed with a resounding call to action, urging international stakeholders to amplify their advocacy for Afghan women and girls, ensuring that accountability and justice are central to all efforts. Participants underscored the importance of solidarity and sustained collaboration to confront the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan.
The conference featured a powerful assembly of women leaders and experts demanding concrete action to uphold justice and safeguard the rights of Afghan women under the Taliban regime. Discussions focused on international legal mechanisms, advocacy strategies, and the necessity of sustained global attention to the plight of Afghan women and girls.
In a significant development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile issued a press release announcing that six governments — Chile, Costa Rica, Spain, France, Luxembourg, and Mexico — have formally referred the Situation in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This referral underscores the gravity of the ongoing crimes and the collective responsibility of the international community to seek justice for the victims.
The investigation into Afghanistan’s situation was initially launched in 2020, with the ICC Prosecutor resuming investigations in 2022 after a temporary suspension. The referral specifically calls on the ICC to prioritize crimes committed against Afghan women and girls, who have been subjected to systematic human rights violations since the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021. These crimes fall under the ICC's jurisdiction and are critical to determining accountability and possible prosecution of perpetrators.
The signatories reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Rome Statute and the ICC, emphasizing their dedication to advancing gender justice and protecting women’s rights globally.
The conference closed with a resounding call to action, urging international stakeholders to amplify their advocacy for Afghan women and girls, ensuring that accountability and justice are central to all efforts. Participants underscored the importance of solidarity and sustained collaboration to confront the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Afghanistan.
