The UN denounced Friday, September 10 the violent repression of peaceful protests by the Taliban in Afghanistan, which left at least four dead, and called on the new regime to respect international law.
Read alsoHas the Taliban changed?
"
We call on the Taliban to immediately end the use of force and arbitrary detention against those who exercise their right to peacefully protest and the journalists who cover these demonstrations,
" said Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commission for Human Rights. human rights, during a regular UN briefing in Geneva (Switzerland).
According to a "
non-exhaustive
"
count
from the High Commission, four demonstrators were killed when the Taliban fired live, said Ravina Shamdasani, who also denounced the ban on any unauthorized gathering proclaimed by the Taliban on Wednesday.
"
According to international humanitarian law, any use of force should be a last resort in response to demonstrations, it should be strictly necessary and proportional and firearms should never be used except in response to a threat. imminent death,
”recalled the spokesperson.
"Violation of international law"
"
Rather than banning peaceful protests, the Taliban should stop using force and guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, including when people want to voice their concerns and use their power. right to participate
”in the management of the country, she underlined. "
As Afghans - women and men - take to the streets to peacefully demand that their human rights be respected in these times of great uncertainty - including the right of women to work, to move freely, their right to education and to participate in political life - it is crucial that those in power hear their voice,
”said Ravina Shamdasani. "
Bans on any peaceful assembly constitute a violation of international law, as is cutting off all access to the Internet,
”the spokesperson said.
Read alsoIn Kabul, daily life subject to the grim law of the Taliban
She stressed that journalists covering these events should not be subject to "
reprisals or harassment
", after testimonies from two Afghan reporters severely beaten by the Taliban.