UN chief calls for reopening of girls' schools in Afghanistan

Marking the second anniversary of the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called on the ruling Taliban militants to reopen schools for girls.

"Girls belong in school," Guterres wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "Let them back in."

The UN chief said the closure of girls' schools is "an unjustifiable violation of human rights that inflicts long-lasting damage on the entire country."

In the meantime, Amnesty International criticized that during the past two years, the situation has not changed.

"The future & dreams of thousands of Afghan girls are at stake," the London-based group wrote on X.

Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has become the only country in the world to deny girls and women access to education beyond primary school.

The Taliban authorities originally said the ban was a "temporary suspension" that will be resolved after establishing a safe environment for girls to attend school, but no changes have been made so far.

The move has drawn condemnation from the international community. No country has recognized the Taliban de-facto government so far.