‘Appalling’: Outrage over Afghanistan’s ‘deeply concerning’ move for girls

The Taliban has broken a key promise made in front of the world in a move which has drawn international condemnation and been labelled "deeply concerning" and "heartbreaking" by Australia's foreign minister.

When the islamic militant group sensationally reclaimed Afghanistan last year after years of US occupation, there was one major concern among liberal observers: What would it mean for girls and women in the country?

Despite repeated assurances that girls would be able to go to school and receive an education, the Taliban have now reneged on that pledge.

On Wednesday (local time), the new government officially backtracked, saying all high schools for girls would remain closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with Islamic law for them to reopen.

The U-turn took many by surprise, leaving students in tears and drawing condemnation from humanitarian agencies, rights groups and diplomats at a time when the Taliban administration is seeking international recognition.

Teachers and students from three high schools around the capital Kabul said girls had returned in excitement to campuses on Wednesday morning, but were ordered to go home. They said many students left in tears, Reuters reported.

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'Millions of Afghan girls left in tears'

Afghan-born, Australian journalist for the BBC, Yalda Hakim, shared videos of young girls coming home distraught and in tears after being told their schools would not open for them.

"Hopes and dreams shattered once again for millions of Afghan girls left in tears and devastated by the continued Taliban ban," she tweeted.

In a clip broadcast by the BBC, another young girl says she wanted to study medicine but is now worried for her future.

"I wanted to become a doctor but today they closed all the doors of hope on us," she said.

In a separate video shared online, a young girl struggles to hold back tears as she begs the Taliban to let her go to school.

"We want to study, please let us study," she said.

Australia labels the move an 'appalling decision'

Australia's foreign minister Marise Payne has blasted the Taliban over the move, labelling it "deeply concerning".

"This is an appalling decision by the Taliban. The right to education is a fundamental human right for all people," she told ABC radio this morning.

"And for girls in Afghanistan this will, once again, be heartbreaking.

"It is an indication of all of those things which we warned when we saw the Taliban return to positions of power ... It is a deeply concerning reversal of policy."

Meanwhile the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Taliban's decision to suspend high school for girls in Afghanistan was "a profound disappointment and deeply damaging" for the country.

"The denial of education not only violates the equal rights of women and girls to education," Guterres said in a statement. "I urge the Taliban de facto authorities to open schools for all students without any further delay."

with Reuters

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