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Motion · S6M-07924 · 14 Feb 2023

Taliban Suppression of Women and Girls in Afghanistan

Lodged by Michelle Thomson Members' Business Motion 29 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament condemns the actions of the Taliban in Afghanistan, which it believes have further restricted the freedoms and opportunities for Afghan women and girls; understands that the reported ban on women accessing university education in Afghanistan, enforced from December 2022, is in addition to the ban on girls attending secondary school; considers that this lost education will have a detrimental impact on skills and knowledge in Afghanistan, including its causal effect on professions such as education, healthcare and local government, as well as on economic growth; understands that United Nations officials have reportedly condemned these actions as a violation of Afghanistan's obligations under international law; further understands that, in July 2022, the UK Government confirmed its continued pressure on the Taliban to reverse its actions, and reiterated its support to provide emergency education funding through the United Nations' Education Cannot Wait fund and the Global Partnership for Education; believes that the actions of the Taliban continue to suppress women and girls in Afghanistan, and have led to what it sees as the desperate actions many women and children have taken by fleeing Taliban oppression and resettling in other countries, including the UK; considers that this has allowed those people to receive education, achieve their potential, and live a better quality of life; acknowledges the support that it considers the Scottish Government has provided to people resettling in Scotland due to conflict through the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme and the New Scots Connect network, implemented by the Scottish Refugee Council; recognises the contributions of local groups across Scotland, including those in the Falkirk district, which operate to support refugees, and notes the calls for additional cross-government support to assist in both putting pressure on the Taliban to reverse its actions, and further supporting Afghan citizens, including women and children, who have resettled in Scotland to realise their potential.

Supporters (29)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.