United Nations (United States) - (AFP) - The UN Security Council on Tuesday urged the Taliban to reverse policies targeting women and girls in Afghanistan, expressing concern about the "growing erosion" of human rights in the country.

In the latest blow to women's rights since the Taliban's seizure of power again last year, the Taliban on Saturday told all non-governmental organizations to stop their female employees, or their licenses will be revoked.

The Taliban has previously banned university education for women and secondary education for girls.

The UN Security Council said in a statement that it was "deeply concerned" by the growing restrictions on women's education, calling for "the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and girls in Afghanistan".

He urged the Taliban to "reopen schools and quickly reverse these policies and practices, which represent a growing erosion of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms."

In its statement, the council also condemned the ban imposed on women working in non-governmental organizations, warning of the negative impact on relief operations in a country whose people depend on aid.

"These restrictions contradict the commitments made by the Taliban to the Afghan people, as well as the expectations of the international community," he said.

For his part, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the recent restrictions imposed on women and girls as "unjustified violations of human rights" and "must be abolished."

The international community had made respect for women's rights a focal point in negotiations with the Taliban government for recognition and aid.

And the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned on Tuesday that the Taliban should reverse its policies towards women in Afghanistan, condemning the "terrible" repercussions of these trends.

"No country can develop and survive, socially and economically, by excluding half of its people," Turk said in a statement.

"These incomprehensible restrictions on women and girls will not only increase the suffering of Afghans, but I fear they will also pose a danger that goes beyond Afghanistan's borders," he said.

He stressed that the policies threaten to destabilize Afghan society.

"The de facto authorities' final decision will have terrible repercussions for women and the entire Afghan people," Türk said.

"Preventing women from working in non-governmental organizations will deprive them and their families of their income, and their right to contribute positively to the development of their country and the well-being of their partners back home," he added.

The decision falls in a context of exposure to women's rights in Afghanistan since the return of the Taliban to power.

Türk also said that the ban "if not destroyed, will greatly impair" the ability of these NGOs to provide basic services, especially in the Afghan winter.

On Sunday, several foreign relief organizations announced the suspension of their activities in Afghanistan.

In November, the movement banned women from parks, gardens, gyms, and public swimming pools.

"Women and girls cannot be stripped of their inherent rights," Türk said, adding, "Attempts by the de facto authorities to silence and block them will not succeed."