Ambassador Hassan Soroosh participated and spoke in an event organized by the University Women Helping Afghan Women (UWHAW)

OTTAWA: DECEMBER 5, 2024
Ambassador Hassan Soroosh participated as a speaker in an event organized recently by the University Women Helping Afghan Women (UWHAW). The event was attended by group members, as well as scholars and human rights advocates from across Canada, both in person and online.
Ambassador Soroosh spoke about the ongoing multifaceted crisis in Afghanistan, with a particular focus on the tragic plight of women and girls, who continue to endure the harshest consequences of the Taliban’s repressive policies and practices.
Ambassador Soroosh stated that the Taliban have been aggressively working to reverse two decades of progress in women's rights, a period during which women's empowerment became a hallmark and cornerstone of the partnership between the people of Afghanistan and our international allies, including Canada.
He highlighted that the so-called "vice and virtue" law which was enacted by the Taliban recently aims to silence women and erase them fully from public life. Ambassador Soroosh described this institutionalized system of discrimination against women as amounting to gender apartheid.
Ambassador Soroosh further spoke about the need to advocate for a new international approach to Afghanistan. He highlighted the importance of utilizing all available international accountability processes and mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court (ICC), the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the principle of Universal Jurisdiction to hold the Taliban accountable. Ambassador Soroosh stressed the significance of supporting all ongoing international efforts in this context.
Ambassador Soroosh also spoke about the need for greater support for women-centered initiatives and women-led organizations both inside and outside of Afghanistan.
Ambassador Soroosh expressed his gratitude to the Government of Canada for all the ongoing humanitarian, advocacy and resettlement support for Afghanistan as well as to UWHAW and all friends of Afghanistan including those in Parliament for their continued commitment and consistent engagement in support of Afghan women and girls.
Last modified on Tuesday, 24/12/2024