E/1999/27 E/CN.6/1999/10 Situation of women and girls in Afghanistan * The Economic and Social Council, Guided by the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,6 the International Covenants on Human Rights, 7 the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment,8 the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,9 the Convention on the Rights of the Child,10 the Beijing Declaration 11 and Platform for Action 12 adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women, and other instruments of human rights and international humanitarian law, Recalling that Afghanistan is a party to the Convention on the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide,13 the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,7 the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,7 the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War,14 and that it has signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women,15 Deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, in particular in all areas under the control of the Taliban movement, as documented by the continued and substantiated reports of grave violations of the human rights of women and girls, including all forms of discrimination against them, such as denial of access to health care, to all levels and types of education, to employment outside the home and, in repeated instances, to humanitarian aid, as well as restrictions upon their freedom of movement, Welcoming the ongoing work of the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, in particular his special focus on violations of the human rights of women and girls, especially in territories under the control of the Taliban faction, Noting with concern the detrimental impact of these harmful conditions on the well-being of Afghan women and the children in their care, Welcoming the inter-agency gender mission to Afghanistan in November 1997, conducted by the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, taking into account the report on the mission and hoping that the mission will serve as a model for future efforts to address the gender dimension of crisis/conflict situations, Expressing its appreciation for the international community’s support of and solidarity with the women and girls of Afghanistan, being supportive of the women of Afghanistan who * 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 For the discussion, see chap. II. General Assembly resolution 217 A (III). General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. General Assembly resolution 39/46, annex. General Assembly resolution 34/180, annex. General Assembly resolution 44/25, annex. See Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing, 4–15 September 1995 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13). Ibid. General Assembly resolution 260 A (III). United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973. General Assembly resolution 34/180, annex. 7