UN rights council launches probe into violations in Afghanistan

GENEVA, Oct 06 (AFP): The UN Human Rights Council decided on Monday to launch a probe into serious rights violations in Afghanistan, amid growing alarm over the Taliban's measures targeting women and girls.

The United Nations' top rights body decided to set up an investigation to gather and preserve evidence of international crimes.

A draft resolution brought forward by the European Union was adopted without a vote by the 47-country council in Geneva.

"Four years since the Taliban takeover by force, the human rights situation has only deteriorated amidst a deepening humanitarian crisis," said Denmark's ambassador Ib Petersen, introducing the resolution on behalf of the EU.

The Taliban has "entrenched repression" and laid waste to civic space in Afghanistan, he said.

"This council has a duty to react and stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan," said Petersen, stressing that the probe would address long-standing impunity.

The resolution sets up an ongoing independent investigation "to collect, consolidate, preserve and analyse evidence of international crimes and the most serious violations of international law".

Its scope notably includes violations and abuses against women and girls.