In a joint statement on Friday, ten members of the UN Security Council called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen all girls’ schools across Afghanistan.

The joint statement was released by Albania, Brazil, France, Gabon, Ireland, Mexico, UK, US, Norway and UAE.

“Our message is clear: All girls in Afghanistan should be able to go to school,” the statement reads.

These countries have said that this week more than a million girls in Afghanistan were getting ready to return to school, but their hopes were dashed at the last minute as they were not allowed to enter their classes.

“The decision is a reversal of the commitments the Taliban themselves have made in recent weeks and months as part of the ongoing engagement with the international community. It is a profoundly disturbing set-back,” they said.

The UN Security Members have said education is a universal right for all children, and “that includes girls in Afghanistan.” These countries have said education is a key building block of every society and that girls’ education is needed for a stable and safe Afghanistan.

“By this statement, Members of the Security Council send a unified message to the Taliban: to open the schools for all. And to provide a safe learning environment for all children and youth in the country,” the statement reads.

Based the previous commitments and announcements by the Islamic Emirate, all girls’ schools were set to reopen on Wednesday. Girls beyond grade six, however, were not allowed to attend school on Wednesday and were told to wait until further notification.

This decision met sharp reactions from inside and outside Afghanistan.