The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has sharply criticized the Taliban, saying Afghan women are going through the "darkest" period of their lives.

She told the 50th session of the Human Rights Council that the Taliban had taken away all the fundamental rights and freedoms of Afghan women.

She described the situation of more than 1 million female students who dropped out of school as "critical".
"There is no opportunity for women to participate in the political and social spheres; "Even women's freedom of movement is severely restricted."

Meeting with Taliban officials in Kabul in March, she said they were "very far" from respecting women's rights.

The UN official added that the situation of freedom of expression and assembly in Afghanistan has deteriorated.
"Sustainable peace in Afghanistan comes when" the voices of women and girls are heard and the demands of religious and ethnic minorities, who have historically faced discrimination, deprivation and violence.