Gordon Brown has condemned cruel treatment meted out against women by the Taliban.
The former prime minister in an interview told the BBC that the kind of treatment meted out to women and girls in Afghanistan constitutes a “crime against humanity.”
He is therefore urging the International Criminal Court (ICC) to bring charges against those involved for the “vicious” violation of human rights.
Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban administration has severely limited the liberties of women and girls.
He declared, “This is the systematic brutalization of women and girls.”
They’ve been excluded from education, from employment, and from going to public places, Mr. Brown, who is now the UN’s special envoy for global education, said in an interview with Nick Robinson of BBC Radio 4 Today.
“All of these restrictions constitute discrimination. It is arguably the most vile, vicious, and extensive violation of human rights in existence today.
He called the system “gender apartheid” and said it ought to be treated as a crime against humanity.
Therefore, it is proper for the International Criminal Court, which is in charge of handling crimes against humanity, to look into and pursue those involved.
The former Labour premier expressed dismay that “so little international pressure on the regime” and warned that the Taliban would change their minds under the strain of a probable trial.
Mr. Brown also urged leaders and clergy from nations with a majority of Muslims to act and for the UK to impose sanctions on the Taliban leadership.
Last month, Afghan women staged a rare demonstration against the Taliban’s decision to close female beauty salons.
Women are not allowed to enter universities, and girls are not allowed to attend secondary schools.
The entry of women and girls is also restricted, as is employment in non-governmental organisations.
Women described feeling “invisible, isolated, suffocated, living in prison-like conditions,” with many unable to meet their basic necessities without employment or assistance, according to past UN reports.