More than 390 civil society organisations from over 60 countries call on the government of Australia and other governments to ease travel requirements and processes for human rights defenders and representatives of civil society fleeing Afghanistan.
We the undersigned, civil society organisations from different regions of the world, write to you in connection with the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, that followed the collapse of President Ashraf Ghani’s government. We are writing because of the urgency required from the international community to support human rights defenders, representatives of civil society, and journalists who are trying to flee Afghanistan to escape the potentially violent actions of the Taliban. In the coming weeks, there are huge concerns that any progress made in the achievements of human rights over the last 20 years in Afghanistan will be swiftly eroded.
As you are aware, human rights defenders, particularly those who defend the rights of women, journalists and those associated with civil society groups have been subjected to violent attacks, threats and intimidation by the Taliban. Over the past several years, CIVICUS and other human rights organisations have documented these attacks and the state of utmost impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators. The Afghan Human Rights Defenders’ Committee (AHRDC) recently reported that 17 human rights defenders were killed between September 2020 and May 2021 alone. Over 200 human rights defenders and media representatives reported receiving serious threats. In light of the present conflict conditions and political instability, these threats have magnified.
The Taliban have a track record of abusing human rights and attacking civilians with impunity. Women and children have borne the brunt of these attacks and many have been prevented from working and have limited access to education and healthcare. The statement by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres of 16 August 2021 urging the international community to speak with one voice to uphold human rights in Afghanistan is a step in the right direction. We also note the concerns expressed by the High Commissioner for Human Rights about early indications that the Taliban are imposing severe restrictions on human rights in the areas under their control, particularly targeting women.
As is expected, many human rights defenders are trying to leave the country and we have received reports that some are being prevented from boarding planes as foreign missions have prioritised evacuating their own nations and staff. Others have gone into hiding and fear for their lives and others are waiting for the inevitable to happen to them. Women who have campaigned for years for equal rights and equal participation in public spaces including the peace process have faced reprisals.
We note reports that at least 3000 Afghan refugees will be able to move to Australia in the next ten months and that Afghan visa holders currently in Australia will not be asked to return to Afghanistan while their security is at risk. However, much more needs to be done. The international community has a responsibility under international human rights and humanitarian law to protect the rights of Afghans and one way of doing so is to provide a safe passage to those whose lives are at risk if they stay in Afghanistan.
Honourable Prime Minister, we urge your government to hold urgent conversations with relevant Ministries in Australia to develop a National Action Plan to guide Australia’s response to the Afghan crisis.
We request that you prioritise the following actions in the action plan;
- Publicly call on the Taliban to respect human rights, including the rights of girls and women and fundamental freedoms in line with international human rights law and standards.
- Prioritise providing safe passage and travel documents for Afghans at heightened risk of persecution from the Taliban because of their past work or status, along with their immediate family members.
- Urge Australian embassies and missions across the world to ease the travel requirements for human rights defenders and representatives from civil society from Afghanistan who may be seeking to travel to Australia.
- Create an enabling environment in Australia conducive for all Afghans who flee recover from the psychosocial pressures they endured in Afghanistan and the anxieties they may experience settling in a new country
- Pledge new support for civil society groups inside and outside of Afghanistan that assist with refugee resettlement, and otherwise promote humanitarian and human rights needs.
- Support the creation of an independent and gender-sensitive investigative and accountability mechanism at the United Nations Human Rights Council Special Session on Afghanistan scheduled for 24 August 2021
Signatories:
- #TrustYourStruggleMovement
- ABAC
- Abraham's Children Foundation
- ACAT TOGO
- Accountability Lab
- ACDIEF
- ACP-DYSS
- ACT FOR CHANGE OU AGIR POUR LE CHANGEMENT
- Action des Volontaires pour la Solidarité et le Développement AVSD
- Action for Community Transformation Initiative South Sudan
- Action for Humanity & Social Progress
- Action for Socio-political and Economic Change
- Actions Collectives pour le Développement Social, ACODES
- Actions for Development and Empowerment
- Actions pour la Lutte Contre les Injustices Sociales (ALCIS)
- Adult Learning Forum
- Advance Centre for peace and credibility international and One Life Count Empowerment Foundation
- AFEDI
- AFeJE Bénin ONG
- Africa Rise Foundation
- African Center for Solidarity and Mutual Aid between the Community (CASEC|ACSAC)
- African Development and Peace Initiative (ADPI)
- AFRICAN FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT (AFED)
- African Leaders Hub
- African Network of Youth Policy Experts
- African Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building Academy AYECBA
- Afrihealth Optonet Association
- Agrupación Fe
- AJAD (Association des Jeunes Africains pour le Développement Durable)
- Alliance for Development and Population Services-ADEPS
- Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights
- ALUCHOTO
- Alvin tech
- Amahoro Human Respect
- Amani community based organization
- América Diversa Inc
- Amicale des Jeunes Chrétiens pour le Développement, AJECDE
- Amnesty International
- Angels in the Field
- Anuesp
- APPUI SOLIDAIRE POUR LE RENFORCEMENT DE L AIDE AU DEVELOPPEMENT
- Arcfrancis Foundation
- AROHI
- ARPE
- Asaasiam Vision International
- Asian Academy for Peace, Research and Development
- Asociación Civil, Colectivo para la Participación de la Infancia y Juventud
- Asociacion Desplazada Nuevo Renacer
- Asociación Unión de Talleres 11 de Septiembre
- Association des Amis de la Nature
- Association des Jeunes pour le Développement et la Protection des Droits de l'Homme
- Association for Advancement of Human Rights
- Association For Promotion Sustainable Development
- Association for Reproductive and Family Health Burundi
- Association Nigérienne pour la Démocratie et la gouvernance inclusive
- Association pour les victimes du monde
- Badhon ManobUnnayan Sangstha
- Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR)
- Banlieues Du Monde Mauritanie
- Bareedo Platform Somalia
- Beautiful Hearts NGO
- Benimbuto
- BIHDP
- Biso peuple
- BOACSE TANZANIA
- Breaking Out Mental Health
- Brothers keeper NGO
- Burundi Child Rights Coalition (BCRC)
- CA Comrades Association Namibia
- CAHURAST, Nepal
- Campaña Defender la Libertad: Asunto de Todas
- Capellanes Conacce
- Care for Social Welfare International
- CareMe E-clinic
- Center for civil society development PROTECTA
- Center for Communities Education and Youth Development
- Center for Public Health Laws Social Economic Rights and Advocacy
- Center for Social Integrity
- Centre d’Actions pour le Développement
- Centre de support aux personnes handicapées
- Centre for environment, media and development communication
- Centre for Good Governance and Social Justice
- Centre for Inclusion and Empowerment
- Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ)
- Centre for Social Mobilization and Sustainable Development(CENSODEV)
- Centre for Sustainable Development and Education in Africa
- Centre Oecuménique pour la Promotion du Monde Rural
- Centro Cultural Equidad y Género
- Centro de Análisis Político
- Centro de Estudios y Apoyo al Desarrollo Local
- Cercle de Réflexion sur le Développement Humain et les Changements Climatiques CERDHUCC
- CFF-Ghana
- CHALLENGES International
- Chambre Transversale des Jeunes Entrepreneurs du Burundi
- CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING FOR PEACE(CYPLP)
- Children and Youth for Peace Agency - Sierra Leone (CYPA-SL)
- Chinland Development Network CDN Myanmar, and Pyinkhonegyi Phunsang Pawlkom -3P
- Civic Engagement Initiatives Trust
- CIVICUS
- Centre International de Formation des de l'homme pour le Développement de Kisangani, Province de la Tshopo
- Climate Tracker
- CO-OPERATIVE FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE
- Coalition des organisations pour la promotion des droits des travailleurs de sexe et transgenre
- Coalition of youth organizations SEGA
- Colectivo Jóvenes Por El Cambio
- Colectivo Seres, A.C.
- Commission internationale des droits de l'homme au Tchad
- Commission on Human Rights
- Community Development Foundation
- Community for Peace Foundation(COPEF)
-
Community Health Education Sports Initiative Zambia
- Community Support Center / CSC-Asbl
- Comunidad de Organizaciones Solidarias
- Connecticut Institute for Social Entrepreneurship
- Connecting Gender for Development
- Consortium of Ethiopian Human Rights Organizations
- Construisons Ensemble le monde
- consultando soluciones
- ControlaTuGobierno A.C.
- Convention Nationale pour le Dialogue et le Règlement Pacifique des conflits au Tchad _CONDIRECT
- COSAD BENIN
- Crisis Resolving Centre (CRC)
- DAKILA
- Determined Society Organization
- Development and Service Centre (DESC)
- Differentabilities
- Digital Rights Activist
- Earthforce Fight Squad NGO
- East Eagle Foundation
- Ecology Africa Foundation
- Edtech for Africa
- EJO YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
- ELOSAN VISION
- Entaxis - Action for inclusion and Education
- Equality Rights Africa Organization
- Espérance Mères et Enfants en RDC "EME-RDC"
- Ethiopian Initiative for Human Rights
- Euphrates Institute-Liberia
- Euro-Mediterranean Resources Network
- Fair Africa
- FAMA
- Family Visions Child Trust
- FEDERACION PROVINCIAL DE ORGANIZACIONES CAMPESINAS DE ZAMORA CHINCHIPE
- Fédération des ONG de la région du Goh
- Feminist Centre
- Fight Against Aids Guinee West Africa
- FINESTE
- Forums Territorial de la Jeunesse Martiniquaise
- Fraternity Foundation For Human Rights
- FSM Alliance of NGOs (FANGO)
- Fundacion Arcoiris por el respeto a la diversidad sexual
- Fundación Ciudadanía y Desarrollo
- Fundación Ecuatoriana Equidad
- Fundación T.E.A. Trabajo, Educación, Ambiente
- Fundación Váyalo
- Fundimma
- Future leaders Society
- Gender Accountability for Peace and Security
- Gender Equality Club
- Ghana Youth Environmental Movement
- Gibson Chisale
- Gidan Dutse Multipurpose Concept
- Give Hope Uganda
- Global Participe
- Global Socio-economic and Financial Evolution Network (GSFEN)
- Global Young Greens
- Golden Change for Concerned Youth Forum
- Grassroot Development Support and Rural Enlightenment Initiative
- Gutu United Residents and Ratepayers Association-GURRA
- H.E.R.O.
- Haakro Welfare Association
- HAKI Africa
- Halley Movement Coalition
- Hamdam Foundation
- Hear Their Voice International (HTVI)
- Hidden and Emerging Treasures Initiative
- Hondureños Contra el SIDA
- Hope for Vulnerable Children Association
- Hope Porters Foundation
- Hope Worldwide-Pakistan
- Hub Ciencia Emprende
- Human Rights
- HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement
- I BAMBINI DELL 'AFRICA ONLUS
- IAW
- ICCA asbl(Icirore C'Amahoro asbl)
- ICYE Nigeria
- IDA Rwanda
- Ikage
- Imbali Western Cape and Adult Learning Forum
- Inclusive Bangladesh
- Independent humanitarian worker
- India Youth For Society
- Infinite hope for vulnerable Africa
- Initiatives des Femmes en Situations Difficiles pour le Développement Durable et Intégré, IFESIDDI
- Innpactia
- Inspirers
- Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea
- Institute of Youth, women welfare
- Instituto de asilencia para adictos a.c.
- Instituto de Educación Cibernética Automotriz Robótica y Electrónica
- Integrated Agricultural Association (I.A.A)
- Intelligent initiative for Peace & Security Consciousness
- INTER-ACTIONS ONG
- Intercedes youth empowerment
- International Association for Migrant Support
- International Association for Political Science Students
- International Development Opportunity Initiative
- International Human Rights Council
- International Society for Peace and Safety
- Intersection Association for Rights and Freedoms
- Jade Propuestas Sociales y Alternativas al Desarrollo, A.C.
- Jesmak health & Safety Center
- Jesus Vazquez Garcia
- JEUNES LEADER DU MALI
- Jeunesse Assistance
- Justice Call
- Justice Initiative for the Disadvantaged and Oppressed Persons
- JusticeMakers Bangladesh
- Kadiwaku Foundation
- Kanika Khurana
- kathak academy(KA)UNCSO(ECOSOC)
- Kenneth and Jacob's House
- Kijana Hai Foundation
- KITUMAINI ASBL
- Knit Together Initiative
- Koneta
- Kwapda'as Road Safety Demand Foundation
- Lamu coastal indigenous people's rights for development (LCIPRD)
- Leaders for Leaders Champion
- Leadership Development Association Bangladesh
- Liberia Sexual Gender Base Violence Movement LSGBV
- Ligue Burundaise des droits de l'homme Iteka
- Local Communities Development Initiative
- LOCAL SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES ORGANISATION (LOSCO)
- Locate i
- Love Alliance Foundation for Orphans, Disabled and Abandoned Persons in Nigeria
- Lupus Initiative Uganda
- Lutheran world federation
- Mahatma phule samaj seva mandal
- Manica Youth Assembly
- Masombo The Life/NGO
- Mémorial des victimes des conflits armés en République Démocratique du Congo
- Men 4 Equality
- MENA Research and Conferences
- Mercy Sisters
- Merowa junior school Kampala
- Mike’s New Generation Vision
- MILES CHILE
- Mouvement Citoyen Ras-Le-Bol
- Mouvement INAMAHORO, Femmes & Filles pour la Paix & la Securite
- Movilizatorio
- Movimiento Juvenil Indígena de la Moskitia - Mark Rivas (MOJIMM)
- MPS GABON
- MUDDH - MOVIMIENTO UNIDO POR LA DEFENSA DE LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS
- Municipal youth network-Nepal
- MUP'S COMMUNICATION
- Ñañaykuna
- National Women Sudanese Association
- National Association of Youth Organizations (NAYO)
- National Campaign for Sustainable Development Nepal
- NEW ERA MOVEMENT
- NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN)
- Nigeria Youth SDGs Network
- Nigerian Global Affairs Council
- Noem Elderly Iutreach Uganda
- North Rift Human Rights Network
- North-East Affected Area Development Society (NEADS)
- Northern Initiative for Community Empowerment
- Nouveaux Droits de l'homme Congo Brazzaville
- Observatoire National pour la Démocratie et l’Environnement ONADE
- Oil Refinery Residents Association
- Onelife Initiative for Human Development
- ONG ADOKA
- ONG CRI DES JEUNES ET FEMMES VULNERABLES, CJFV.
- ONG Good Neighbors
- ONG ICON Niger
- ONG ITODJU
- ONG María Acoge
- Organisation Internationale des volontaires des Nations Unies
- Organisation pour la protection des droits de l'homme
- Organizando Trans Diversidades (Asociación OTD Chile)
- Organization of the Justice Campaign
- OTRANS-RN
- Otro Tiempo México AC
- Pahel Pakistan
- Pan - African Peacemakers Alliance (PAPA)
- PARIVARTHANA
- PAWA - Pacific Australian Womens Association
- Peace Education and Practice Network (PEPNET)
- People's health movement
- People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy
- Peoples Federation for National Peace and Development (PEFENAP)
- PJUD-BENIN ONG
- Plateforme des Femmes pour la Paix en Casamance
- Plateforme nationale des organisations de la société civile pour la lutte contre le VIH et Tuberculose
- POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (PDI)
- Programme d'Appui à la Lutte contre la Pauvreté pour l'Emergence et la Restauration d'un développement durable
- Progressive Single Mothers Network
- Red de Desaparecidos en Tamaulipas
- REDECIM
- Redemption Research for Health and Educational Development Society(RRHEDS)
- Redlad
- REFUGEES PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR PEACE-RPP
- Regional Network of Children and Young People Trust
- Réseau des Organisations de la Société Civile pour l'Observation et le Suivi des Élections en Guinée (ROSE)
- Réseau Nigérien Anti-Corruption
- RIHRDO (Rural Infrastructure and Human Resource Development Organization )
- Rising Winners Youth Empowerment Initiative (RWYEI)
- RNDDH
- Rotary Club of Alabang Madrigal Business Park
- RUKIGA FORUM FOR DEVELOPMENT (RUFODE)
- Rural Development Foundation
- Ryht Group
- Safe employee and volunteer
- Sahiba Foundation
- SAPI Child international
- Save the Climat
- Savie asbl NGO LGBTIQ PGEL Congo DRC
- Sehzoor Life Organization
- Service Workers In Group Foundation Uganda
- Shanduko Yeupenyu Child Care
- She & Peer
- Shibganj Integrated Development Society
- Sierra Leone School Green Clubs (SLSGC)
- Sierra Leone Unites
- Siyakholwa Support Care Centre
- Social Action For Empowerment and Relief
- Social democracy movement
- Social Voice Networking Forum - Pakistan
- Société Civile Engagée
- Somali Action for Transformation (Somact)
- SOPEVUDECO ASBL
- SORETO
- SOS Jeunesse et Enfance en Détresse " SOS JED
- Sout To Support Women's Rights
- South African National Civic Organisation
- South Sudan Youth Peace and Development Organization (SSYPADO)
- Southwest Genesis Consultancy
- Swabalambee Foundation
- TARGET 4.7 Education for Global Citizenship & Sustainability
- Tariro Foundation of Zimbabwe Trust
- The Environment Ameliorators
- The Institute of Caribbean Studies/SMART Futures Movement
- The Young Republic
- Timely performance care center
- Today for tomorrow foundation
- Tomorrow for human rights
- Toto Centre Initiative
- Tournonslapage
- Tremendas Panamá
- Uganda Diversity Network
- UGONMA FOUNDATION
- Ukana West 2 Community Based Health Initiative
- Umbrella for Journalists in Kasese (UJK)
- UN SDGs Programme
- Unión Nacional de Instituciones para el Trabajo de Acción Social - UNITAS
- United nations Youth Association-Ghana
- United World Against Diabetes
- Universal Union For Consumer Protection and Civil Abuse "UNUCOPCA" NGO
- University of Western Cape
- VEILLE CITOYENNE TOGO
- Venezuela Diversa AC
- VIE +
- Vivace Youth Centre
- Volunteer Activists
- Warembo Forum
- Welfare Taskforce for Malaysian Students Abroad
- WELFARE TOGO
- West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)
- Western Youth Empire
- Women and Children Empowerment Network-South Africa
- Women in Action-WINA
- WOMEN WITHOUT POVERTY (WOWIPO)
- World Mission Agency
- World Youth Union S/L
- YACAP INTERNATIONAL
- YES We Can
- yesaid society (Kenya)
- Young African change makers
- YOUNG AFRICAN FIGHTERS ORGANIZATION
- Young Men Association
- Youth Advocacy Network
- Youth Advocates for Change
- Youth Against Drug Abuse YADA International
- Youth Arm Org
- Youth Association of Sierra Leone
- Youth Development Initiative Trust
- Youth Enrichment for Success
- Youth for the Mission
- Youth Forum for Social Justice
- Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana
- Youth innovation centre
- Youth Leadership Parliament, Nigeria
- Youth Network for Positive Change