Sheikh Abdullah condemns Taliban's NGO ban for women

His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has condemned the Taliban for banning women from working for humanitarian organisations.

During a telephone call with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, the UAE minister stressed that the Taliban's latest move violates fundamental human rights.

Sheikh Abdullah added that "Islam devoted significant attention to women, granted them a privileged position, and safeguarded their rights".

He affirmed the need to guarantee women's rights, as well as the importance of full and equal participation of women and girls in all aspects of life.

Çavuşoğlu also reaffirmed Turkey's expectation for this decision to be reversed.

The ministers also reiterated their condemnation of the "storming" of Al-Aqsa Mosque by an Israeli minister on Tuesday.

They underlined the importance of preserving the status and sanctity of holy places in Jerusalem and increasing coordination against such unacceptable acts.

They reiterated the need to provide full protection for Al-Aqsa Mosque and halt serious and provocative violations taking place there and called upon Israeli authorities to assume responsibility for reducing escalation and instability in the region.

The ministers concluded by discussing issues related to the bilateral agenda.