UN human rights experts* today deplored a statement to the media by a Taliban official on 8 September that women would not be allowed to participate in sport, warning that it could be a step toward “gender apartheid”.

A subsequent reported statement by an Afghan sporting official suggested a final decision has not yet been taken. In this context, the UN experts urged the Taliban to immediately and unequivocally indicate that women will be allowed to take part in sports, and ensure their participation.