UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said on Tuesday after meeting with members of Afghanistan’s civil society that there “really is a need to build trust on all sides”.

Addressing a press conference after her meeting, she said it was important to have dialogue “that’s built on honesty”.

“It’s got to be based on principles, those of the UN Charter, and various human rights treaties that Afghanistan is a party to.”

She said: “We are still at the beginning of this process.”

According to her there was a need for everyone to be patient and realistic.

“It’s a process based on the independent that the UN Security Council recognized last November; the assessment calls for a more coordinated and structured process, with clear conditions and expectations from all sides.

“It also calls for a principled, step-for-step approach with a clear understanding of the outcomes and commitments from all sides.

“Human rights and especially the rights of women and girls , and inclusion of all members of society will continue to be an integral part of our discussions.”

In terms of moving forward, DiCarlo said there had been a discussion in Monday’s meeting with special envoys and the Islamic Emirate on the possibility of establishing smaller working groups to discuss key issues.

“We are continuing that discussion on how to proceed forward,” she said.

Once again she reiterated that this process was in its early stages and would need time and patience.

“Really, our approach has one goal. And that’s helping all the people of Afghanistan.”

DiCarlo’s meeting with civil society representatives not part of the official agenda. Contrary to earlier reports that no envoys from foreign countries had attended this meeting, DiCarlo said there “had been a fair number of member states” at the meeting.

She pointed out attendance had been “optional”.

Asked whether civil society representatives were upset at having been sidelined from the 3rd Doha meeting she said: “Obviously, civil society, many would have like to be at the meeting but they were pleased to have the opportunity to speak with some of the envoys.”

DiCarlo was also asked why such the two-day meeting and the meeting with Afghan civil society representatives had been so shrouded in secrecy; and why the identities of the civil society members were being withheld.
In answer, she put it down to the UN “respecting the privacy” of individuals and that UN meetings are closed events.

She did however say the international community does feel that Afghanistan is not abiding by its international obligations.
However, at the very end of the two-day meeting, mention was made that eventually there would be a need for an “intra-Afghan dialogue”.

“What we are doing is not an intra-Afghan dialogue right now. We are just going through issues at this point; and we want to get various perspectives.

“Let’s be perfectly honest, the citizens and the de facto authorities are not ready for sitting down at the table with each other. At least they weren’t for this past meeting,” she said.

The two-day UN-led Doha meeting was the third of its kind but the first one that the Islamic Emirate attended.

However, representatives of Afghan civil societies had been barred from attending the event. Instead, DiCarlo and some foreign envoys met with them in a separate meeting on Tuesday.

Related stories:

UN keeps identity of Afghan activists at Doha meeting under wraps

Mujahid sums up Doha meeting, says most countries willing to cooperate with Afghanistan