Time to tame the Taleban

CESAR CHELALA
South China Morning Post (Commentary)

The attack by Taleban forces on the women of Afghanistan has continued unabated, impervious to international outrage, since the militia took power in most of the country five years ago.

Although the Taleban claims it wants to create a "true" Islamic society, its rule has been characterised by a medieval attack on rights and freedoms, particularly those of women. While non-governmental international aid organisations such as Oxfam and Save The Children Fund have had to cancel projects, the Taleban have refused to heed the United Nations appeal for moderation in their treatment of women.

The Taleban have closed girls' schools, prohibited women from working outside their homes, and obliged women to cover their bodies with a "burqa", including a mesh covering over their eyes. Those that do not follow those directives are beaten or shot. In addition, women are not allowed to work or even to go out in public without a male relative. Professional women such as lawyers, professors, translators, artists and writers have been forced out of their jobs and made to stay home.

Even some female physicians have been prohibited from working. Because women are not allowed to work out of their homes, those without a husband or male relatives are in a difficult position.

Visits to doctors, dentists and health clinics are severely restricted, and male doctors are prohibited from seeing unaccompanied women.

Particularly helpless are Kabul's 60,000 widows, many with children to support. Prohibition from working has led to the impoverishment of tens of thousands of women, and probably has played a role in the increasing number of street children. Aashiyana, a Swiss charity that provides education for street children, has estimated there are 50,000 to 60,000 in Kabul. Aid workers with knowledge of the situation say some street children are forced into prostitution to earn a living.

There are reports that women and children in Kabul are suffering from severe psychological disorders and depression. Some women commit suicide to avoid living under the Taleban rule or witnessing their children suffer from hunger or starving to death.

These facts have been confirmed by a study of women in Kabul under the Taleban carried out by Physicians for Human Rights, a Boston-based organisation. In its study, of 160 women interviewed, 42 per cent met diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder, 97 per cent had clinical symptoms of major depression, and more than 20 per cent stated that they had seriously contemplated suicide. In addition, 69 per cent stated that they or a family member had been detained and abused by the Taleban militia.

Many schools, government offices and hospitals have been closed, since women make up 70 per cent of Afghanistan's teachers, half its civilian government workers, and 40 per cent of physicians. Because a huge number of men have been killed in decades of civil war and Soviet occupation, women comprise 65-75 per cent of the population.

Amnesty International has denounced public executions and amputations, which are increasingly being reported, while defendants have no right to a lawyer, or to appeal against verdict or sentence.

There is no indication that the Taleban will change its legal system. Mullah Haksar Akhund, a deputy interior minister, stated that punishments would not stop and said: "This is the word of God approved by the Prophet."

Governments worldwide and the UN face the dilemma of how to deal with a fanatical and ruthless regime in order to limit the damage perpetrated on the Afghan people.

There should be no recognition of the Taleban as the Government of Afghanistan by the UN and other governments as long as its human rights abuses and discrimination against women continues.

There should also be a moratorium on international investment in the country, while at the same time increased assistance should be provided to those leaving and, when possible, those still living there.

Consistent with basic tenets of civilised society, the Taleban regime in Afghanistan should continue to be made into the international pariah it deserves to be.

Dr Cesar Chelala is a medical consultant and award-winning writer on human rights.