ICC Faces Pressure to Suspend Afghanistan Over Women's Cricket Rights

The International Cricket Council (ICC) faces pressure from Human Rights Watch (HRW) to suspend Afghanistan's cricket membership due to the Taliban's ban on women's participation in sports and education. HRW's letter underscores that the Taliban's actions violate the Olympic Charter and urges the ICC to implement a human rights policy aligned with the United Nations' principles. Concurrently, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has condemned the ongoing restrictions on Afghan women and girls, highlighting the systematic denial of their rights in education and public life, which exacerbates poverty and isolation. On International Women’s Day, UNAMA called for global solidarity to amplify Afghan women's voices and emphasized their critical role in Afghanistan's future. Afghan women, including athletes, continue to face severe repression, with many fleeing the country or going into hiding to escape persecution. The international community is urged to engage with the Taliban to advocate for the restoration of women's rights and freedoms.