England's men's cricket team is scheduled to play Afghanistan in the group stage of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Champions Trophy on February 26.
But women's rights activists are calling on England to relinquish its laurels to protest ongoing human rights abuses in Afghanistan. Published by Women's Rights Network (WRN) statement On Tuesday, it called for the forfeiture of all sporting competitions with the Afghanistan national team, as well as the championship match in February.
“Women's Rights Network is calling on England to cancel the match.In fact, we are calling on politicians and sporting governing bodies to take further action.We demand: [UK Prime Minister] Keir Starmer to order boycott of Afghanistan matches in all sports [England Cricket Team] Forfeit all matches against the Afghanistan Men's Cricket Team in any tournament, players and coaches examine their consciences – the women in your family can dress as they please and be educated. They are free to take admission, get a job, travel, have a bank account, and speak and sing. How can you act in good conscience in a country that denies women basic human rights? ” the group wrote.
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed MPs at the Labor Party conference in Liverpool, England, on Tuesday. (AP)
“The pride in wearing a team's uniform includes pride in one's country's accomplishments in standing up for human rights and against dictators who celebrate sporting successes. What happened to the women of Afghanistan? It's a horrible thing to do. Any sportsman with a conscience should do the right thing: Boycott Afghanistan. ”
Afghanistan has been under Taliban control since August 2021 after President Biden ordered the withdrawal of US troops. Thirteen U.S. military personnel were killed in the retreat, and Taliban forces almost immediately took control of the capital, Kabul. An additional 45 U.S. soldiers were injured and more than 170 Afghan civilians were also killed.
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According to UNDP, the country's economy has weakened, mainly due to the suspension of international funding through government donor programs such as the Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund after the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, 2021. It basically collapsed.”
The Taliban takeover resulted in particularly poor treatment of women in the country.
Under sharia law, women are not allowed to move around in public unless accompanied by a male relative. Generally, they are only allowed to leave their homes for urgent matters and must wear a full veil if they go out.
In August, taliban ruler A ban on women's voices and faces in public spaces was issued under a new law approved by the Supreme Leader in an effort to combat vice and promote virtue.
Women are required to hide in front of non-Muslim men and women to avoid corruption. Women's voices are considered intimate and should not be heard sung, recited, or recited in public. It is forbidden for a woman to see a man to whom she is not related by blood or marriage, and vice versa.
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Naveen Ul Haq of Afghanistan celebrates with his teammates after being sent off during the second T20 international cricket match between Zimbabwe and Afghanistan at Harare Sports Club in Harare on December 13, 2024. (Jekesai Nijikizana/AFP)
Afghan women are also prohibited from attending secondary school and, from 2022, from studying at all. Although there are some courses available to women through online instruction, female students are not allowed to take the exams.
In July, united nations report The ministry said it was fostering a climate of fear and intimidation among Afghans through its edicts and enforcement measures.
“Given the multiple issues outlined in the report, the position expressed by the de facto authorities that this surveillance will only continue to expand is of grave concern to all Afghans, especially women and girls. “It's about giving,” said Fiona Fraser, director of the Human Rights Centre. Human rights work at the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan.
The Taliban rejected the UN report.
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