Sunak tells Taliban ‘world is watching’ after university ban for women

Rishi Sunak has warned the Taliban that the “world is watching”, after women in Afghanistan were ordered to stop attending private and public universities until further notice.

Taliban security forces in Kabul have been enforcing the higher education ban for women by blocking their access to universities, with a video showing women weeping and consoling each other outside a campus in the capital.

The Prime Minister joined in international criticism of the Taliban regime on Wednesday, tweeting: “As a father to daughters, I cannot imagine a world in which they’re denied an education.

“The women of Afghanistan have so much to offer. Denying them access to university is a grave step backwards.

“The world is watching. We will judge the Taliban by their actions.”

The Taliban-led administration has not given a reason for the ban and so far has not reacted to the global condemnation of the move.

Despite initially promising a more moderate rule respecting rights for women and minorities, the Taliban have widely implemented their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, since they seized power in August 2021.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly tweeted: “Simply abhorrent.

“The Taliban’s decision to stop women from going to university shows their complete disregard for fundamental freedoms.

“The UK is working with our G7 partners to condemn and hold those responsible to account.”