Statement of solidarity with Afghan women
January
2002
1. On the occasion of its
twenty-sixth session, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women fully expresses its solidarity with, and support for, the women of
Afghanistan.
2. Afghan women have suffered for a considerable time every privation
known to humankind, losing all their fundamental human rights, particularly the
right to life, education, health and work.
3. The participation of
Afghan women as full and equal partners with men is essential for the
reconstruction and development of their country.
4. The Committee welcomes
the resolve of the international community to assist in the reconstruction of
Afghanistan, and calls upon all parties concerned to respect internationally
recognized principles, norms and standards of human rights, particularly the
human rights of women, which are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part
of universal human rights, in all their actions and activities. The Committee
considers this essential in order to achieve peace and stability in the
country.
5. The Committee expresses the hope that the human rights of women, as
provided for in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women, signed by Afghanistan in 1980, will guide all actions in both the
public and private spheres.