Mr. President,

The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks the High Commissioner for her comprehensive report.

The Netherlands is gravely concerned about reports of serious human rights violations and abuses in Afghanistan, in particular against women and girls, human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers, and persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities.

We are deeply worried by the reported summary executions and enforced disappearances of former government civilian and military officials. These reprisal killings go against the Taliban’s announced general amnesty for those associated with the former government. It is unacceptable that these crimes generally go unpunished, despite the Taliban’s guarantees to hold their forces accountable for violations of the amnesty order. The Netherlands urges the Taliban to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions, ensure justice for victims and prevent such actions from reoccurring. 

It is essential that all human rights violations are monitored and documented, as the collection, consolidation, preservation and analysis of evidence are indispensable steps to achieve accountability.

We fully support the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur as a first step towards accountability and call upon the Taliban to allow the future UN Special Rapporteur full and unhindered access to Afghanistan.

Madam High Commissioner,

How can the collection, consolidation, preservation and analysis of evidence be improved in the near-term?

I thank you.