The United States on Tuesday condemned in the “strongest terms” Afghanistan’s ban on girls going to college.
US State Department spokesman Ned Price called it a “barbaric” decision after the Taliban announced that girls would now be banned from Afghan universities.
“The Taliban should hope that this decision, which contradicts commitments they have made publicly and to their people, will have concrete consequences for them,” he told reporters.
“This unacceptable stance will have significant consequences for the Taliban and further alienate them from the international community and the legitimacy they desire,” the spokesman added.
Increasingly restricted freedoms
Taliban authorities announced Tuesday that Afghan universities are now off-limits to girls, already deprived of secondary education since Islamic fundamentalists came to power, further restricting their freedoms.
Separately, Ned Price announced the release of two US citizens detained in Afghanistan, hailing a “goodwill gesture” by the Taliban.
“We understand that this is a goodwill gesture on the part of the Taliban. It is not part of an exchange of prisoners or detainees. No money has been exchanged”, assured the door-word of the Department of State, specifying that the two nationals were going to Doha.
He declined to give details about the two Americans who are taking refuge behind confidentiality rules.
“It will not have escaped our notice that they made such a goodwill gesture on the very day they made a decision that goes against the Afghan people,” said Ned Price.
Source: BFM TV
