China and Iran have urged mutual neighbour Afghanistan to end restrictions on women's work and education. 9News
The call came in a joint statement issued at the close of a visit to Beijing by Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, during which the two sides affirmed close economic and political ties and their rejection of Western standards of human rights and democracy.
"The two sides ... called on the Afghan rulers to form an inclusive government in which all ethnic groups and political groups actually participate, and cancel all discriminatory measures against women, ethnic minorities and other religions," the statement said, adding that the US and its NATO allies "should be responsible for the current situation in Afghanistan".
The call for women's rights is notable coming from Iran's hardline Shiite Muslim regime, which has been challenged by months of protests sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody for allegedly violating clothing requirements. The bulk of the China-Iran joint statement emphasised strong political and economic ties, the quest for peace and justice in the Middle East and denuclearisation in spite of Tehran's alleged drive to produce atomic weapons.
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