Human Rights Watch Criticises Norway's Dual Approach to Afghan Women's Rights

Citing the history of inviting the Taliban to Oslo, Human Rights Watch has said that Norway has a "cautious and ambivalent" stance on the harassment of Afghan women.

The organisation called on Norway to join a possible complaint by Germany, the Netherlands and Australia against the Taliban in the International Court of Justice.

In January 2022, Norway provided the Taliban with the opportunity to meet with Western officials in Europe for the first time.

Then, in June this year, Norway and some Western governments responded positively to the Taliban's request to participate in an international conference without the presence of Afghan women.

Citing violations of women's rights in Afghanistan, including bans on education, employment, movement without a male relative, and the use of public places without a male relative, Norway has nevertheless taken a cautious stance toward the Taliban, Human Rights Watch said.

Despite international efforts to hold the Taliban accountable for misogynistic policies, "Norway appears to have joined other countries seeking to establish normal relations with the Taliban," according to the human rights body.

In addition, Human Rights Watch criticised the UN Human Rights Council, saying that it has so far failed to establish a comprehensive accountability mechanism in Afghanistan to document and support all serious crimes, especially crimes against women and girls.

Recently, some countries, including Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada, have started a process against the Taliban, which may lead to the filing of a case in the International Court of Justice for violating the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

Human Rights Watch called on Norway to join the process, stressing that it should actively support the move if it opposes "double standards in its foreign policy”.