03/03/2026 Egalité et non-discrimination
[En cours de traduction]
Maria Syrengela (Greece, EPP/CD), PACE’s rapporteur on “The deterioration of women’s rights in Afghanistan: the need for a global response”, made the following statement today:
“A new criminal procedure code adopted by the Taliban, recently put into effect in Afghanistan, legalises violence by men against women as long as no bones are broken and no permanent injuries are left on their bodies. This code not only causes deep concern and intense alarm but also confirms the dramatic deterioration of the position of women and girls in Afghanistan, who face persecution and continue to be deprived of fundamental rights. It institutionalises impunity for violence against women.
I believe that defending women’s rights is a collective responsibility of the international community. For this reason, we must intensify our efforts to protect women and girls around the world, ensuring that the principles of equality, freedom and respect for human rights remain at the core of every international initiative.
Any form of violence against women constitutes a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and can under no circumstances be legitimised, justified or presented as a socially acceptable practice. The protection of human dignity and physical integrity is a non-negotiable principle of international law. Silence in the face of violence is not an option. Perpetrators of gender persecution must be held accountable.”