Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has condemned the Taliban's treatment of women in Afghanistan as "barbarous" while welcoming the Afghan women's refugee cricket team to the Foreign Office in London for a friendly match.
Friendly match at the Foreign Office
Ms Cooper and Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer joined the team for a game in the quad of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in central London. Both politicians took turns batting against the exiled players in the paved outdoor area of the grand building.
The Foreign Secretary was presented with a bat decorated by members of the team and, in return, signed a pink cricket ball for them.
Team's history and current status
The Afghan Refugee Women's Cricket Team was established during the Afghan Republic in 2010 but lost recognition as a national team after the Taliban returned to power. Most members fled the country, with the majority now based in Australia, where they have rebuilt their lives as refugees and continue to campaign for recognition.
The team is currently in London on a tour of England, coinciding with the ICC Women's T20 World Cup semi-final between England and South Africa at the Oval on Thursday night.
Cooper's remarks on Taliban restrictions
Speaking to the women after the game, Ms Cooper said: "Frankly, it is an outrage that you are not able to play cricket in Afghanistan. It is barbarous the way in which the Taliban are treating women, denying girls the chance to go to school, denying them the chance to be in sport, in healthcare, from working … so many different human rights are being denied."
She praised the team's resilience, adding: "Your resilience and spirit in standing up for the chance to enjoy sport, the chance to be able to be talented women who are doing amazing things is an inspiration and a hope."
Call for international solidarity
The Foreign Secretary urged global action, stating: "Whilst the Taliban government is being so barbarous and trying to choke off basic rights, I think we across the world have an obligation to stand with you, to show our solidarity with you, and that means the ICC needs to show solidarity with you as well."
