KABUL (SW) – The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has warned the education ministry against infringing on children’s rights to freedom and artistic skills.
It said in response to the Ministry of Education’s ban on female students over the age of 12 singing in public that any restrictions on the rights and freedoms of children were against human rights principles and the Child Rights Act.
The Independent Human Rights Commission (IHRC) issued a statement on Thursday, March 11 stating that the right to education, freedom of expression and access to artistic skills are fundamental rights of children, without discrimination based on age or sex. According to the commission, all boys and girls can exercise their rights equally and freely within the law.
The AIHRC has emphasized that any restriction on the rights and freedoms of children is contrary to the general principles of human rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Afghan national law, in particular the Constitution and the Law on the Protection of the Rights of the Child.
The statement said that any decision by the Ministry of Education to deny children’s participation in public meetings, programs, celebrations and receptions should be in line with the principles of freedom, equality and the best interests of children. The statement said the decision should not promote gender discrimination.
A day earlier, the Ministry of Education issued a statement banning girls over the age of 12 from attending and singing in gatherings that are also attended by men. The letter stated that female students can perform songs and anthems only in gatherings attended only by women and girls.
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