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  1. Media Releases & Statements
  2. Nobel Peace laureates' statement on Afghanistan

Nobel Peace laureates' statement on Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, as in conflict afflicted countries and regions throughout the world, there can be no just and durable state of peace without the leadership and on-going participation of women.

Posted on September 2, 2021
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In the context of the current state of regime-change, as Nobel Peace Laureates, we share the concerns expressed around the world about the safety and well-being of the civilian population in Afghanistan, with special consideration for women leading in human rights defence, peace-building, civil society and journalism.

We strongly condemn all violations against the fundamental human rights of the people in this process and call upon all parties to cease hostilities. We demand the restoration of humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian organizations and spaces. We ask that civilians be able to move freely in and out of the country without being harmed.

Women’s human rights must be protected in country, and when they are on the move, during evacuation and re-settlement processes.

We support the establishment of a United Nations mandated fact-finding mission in Afghanistan, as requested by the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC). The Women’s International League of Peace and Freedom (Afghanistan Section) has stated that the first priority of this mission should be an assessment of the security situation from an emergency humanitarian perspective in the understanding that the region is being further destabilized.

Like many in the international community we were disappointed with the weak response by the UN Human Rights Council during the special session held on August 24th and call upon this body to act with haste to protect civilians through the negotiation of a cease fire, the revival of the peace process, and by ensuring that resolutions relating to women, peace and security are fully implemented.

The UN HRC must act with urgency and moral clarity, taking bold and deliberate action to ensure that vulnerable people are shielded from harm. There must be no reprisals against women human rights defenders, feminist leaders or women civil society actors.

We agree with Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, that the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls represents a ‘red line”. This treatment will be a key indicator of their sincerity of their pledge to protect human rights.

We call for immediate and inclusive peace negotiations. Afghan women’s organizations are asking for not less than 40% representation of women peace activists, feminist groups, and women politicians. We support this call unequivocally.

In Afghanistan, as in conflict afflicted countries and regions throughout the world, there can be no just and durable state of peace without the leadership and on-going participation of women.

In advance of the resolution of these matters, we make an urgent appeal to President Joe Biden and all governments who have left civilians behind to do everything in their individual and collective power to ensure the safe evacuation and passage of those who were promised exit and those who choose to leave Afghanistan including women human rights defenders.

Leymah Gbowee, Nobel Peace Laureate (2011) – Liberia
Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Laureate (2003) – Iran
Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Laureate (2011) – Yemen
Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Nobel Peace Laureate (1992) – Guatemala
Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate (1997) – USA

Media Releases & Statements

January 18, 2023

Nobel Women’s Initiative Welcomes Maria Ressa’s Acquittal and Urges Action to Address Information Crisis

November 4, 2022

Dr Shirin Ebadi Addresses UN Security Council

October 7, 2022

Nobel Women’s Initiative laureates congratulate 2022 Peace Prize winners calling for peace with justice

September 28, 2022

An Open Letter to the People of Iran

September 19, 2022

Peace laureates appalled and saddened by the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran

September 7, 2022

Oh, Sister!: A documentary about Ukrainian Women's daily struggle for peace

July 7, 2022

Statement: Collective warning from Iranian social and political activists

June 23, 2022

Women of Ukraine demand peace. Peace with justice. Peace with Freedom.

June 21, 2022

Media Advisory: Three women Nobel peace laureates to visit Lviv on June 22

June 17, 2022

Media Release: Nobel peace laureates lead delegation to Poland and the Ukraine

Recent Media Coverage

Jody Williams: "Se están usando minas terrestres en la invasión de Ucrania". El Espanol. 8 February 2023. 

Nobel laureate Ebadi says Iran's 'revolutionary process' is irreversible. Reuters. 3 February 2023.

Minelegging truer sivile i Ukraina. Klassekampen. 25 January 2023. 

“Oh, Sister!” — life of Women of Ukraine amidst the war. The Odessa Journal. 29 December 2022.

‘Bravery has no gender’: Nobel prize winner praises role of women in Ukraine conflict. The Irish Times. 16 December 2022.

Für Ukraine alles geben, was möglich ist. Berliner Zeitung, 16 December 2022. 

Shirin Ebadi on the legal obstacles Iran’s protesters face. Economist, 16 November 2022

Will Russia use tactical nukes? It’s time to abolish nuclear weapons.* Houston Chronicle, 6 November 2022

How Women Respond to War: An Interview With Three Nobel Laureates. Women's Media Center, 4 November 2022

U.S/ Seeks Removal of Iran From U.N. Women's Rights Agency. New York Times, 2 November 2022

Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Spotlight the Brave, Visionary Women of Ukraine And Launch 'Women Lead' Campaign. Forbes, 28 October 2022

“They Want a Democracy”: Iranian Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi on Protests, Regime’s Future. Democracy Now, 20 October 2022

'Iran will be democratic one day': Shirin Ebadi. DW, 23 October 2022

Shirin Ebadi: Women will open the gate to democracy in Iran. CNN, 7 October 2022

*Behind a paywall

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