IEA says restricting women from working with UN is ‘internal matter’

In reaction to the UNSC resolution condemning the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) decision that bans Afghan women from working for the United Nations, IEA’s Foreign Ministry in a statement said that it is an internal social matter of Afghanistan that does not impact outside states.

“In line with international law and the strong commitment made by member states to respect the sovereign choices of Afghanistan, this is an internal social matter of Afghanistan that does not impact outside states,” the statement said.

“We remain committed to ensuring all the rights of Afghan women while emphasizing that diversity must be respected and not politicized,” according to the statement.

The Foreign Ministry said that the path to a post-conflict recovery requires the unconditional removal of UN, multilateral, and unilateral sanctions and restrictions on the country, in addition to provision of humanitarian and development assistance to the country.

“Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis is man-made, driven by economic restrictions on the country. While humanitarian assistance is appreciated, the reality is that this ongoing crisis can only be resolved by the removal of restrictions on the country and helping Afghanistan to address core climate change, economic, infrastructural, and development needs of its people,” the statement said.

It welcomed the UNSC’s acknowledgment that engagement is the only realistic path.

“We stand ready to work jointly with neighboring, regional and world countries and organizations to tackle challenges such as humanitarian access, economic recovery, trade, transit, access to Afghan Central Bank assets, development, security, narcotics, and other areas of interest through continued dialogue and engagement,” the statement said.