Pakistan, July 8 -- The United Nations General Assembly has strongly condemned the "systematic oppression" of women and girls in Afghanistan by the ruling Taliban authorities. In a resolution passed on Monday, 116 countries voted in favor, while the United States and Israel voted against, and 12 nations abstained.

The resolution expressed deep concern over the worsening human rights situation, specifically targeting the Taliban's policies that severely restrict the freedoms of Afghan women and girls. It stated that the Taliban has created an "institutionalized system" of discrimination and exclusion, depriving women of education, work, and public participation.

Since retaking power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed harsh restrictions, ba...