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Richard Bennett reports to UNGA, says Afghanistan is facing many challenges
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said on Tuesday that Afghanistan is facing a convergence of challenges, including a deteriorating human rights situation.
He said in a report to the UN General Assembly this was due to the Islamic Emirates repressive policies and practices, a culture of impunity, an ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis, recent deadly earthquakes, and the possibility of massive involuntary returns [from Pakistan], all of which require urgent action to avoid further suffering and potential instability in the country and the region.
He said: “A grave picture has emerged, providing a glimpse of what may lie ahead for the human rights of many Afghans, particularly women and girls, and also for other groups including human rights defenders, journalists, ethnic and linguistic minorities, LGBTI persons, persons with disabilities, former government officials and military and security personnel.”
He also said the recent earthquakes had severely affected already vulnerable communities in Herat, and urged the international community to provide needed assistance.
The expert stressed the need to resume the education of girls beyond the sixth grade and women’s tertiary education, noting that the IEA had repeatedly stated that the suspension was temporary.
“The Taliban’s (IEA) actions may amount to gender persecution,” Bennett said. “Systematic discrimination, oppression and segregation of women and girls require further examination of the evolving phenomenon of ‘gender apartheid’.”
However, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly said that international institutions do not reflect the true image of Afghanistan, especially when it comes to human rights, they rely more on propaganda.
“We are a war-torn country, there were no economic resources, and we are trying to revive the economic resources so that they can be created in order to eliminate the poverty and hardship of the people.” In this regard, we don’t sit quietly and work day and night, but unfortunately, these organizations always focus on the negative points instead of the positive points in publishing their reports, and which is devoid of truth,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry says it is reviewing reports that the Trump administration plans to deport Afghans through Pakistan, adding that it is consulting relevant stakeholders to find a mutually acceptable way forward.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan made the remarks at a press conference on Friday, saying Islamabad remained committed to close coordination with its allies and partners.
“We will continue to act in accordance with our international obligations and established protocols,” Khan said.
He added that the matter was under consideration and that all relevant aspects were being carefully examined in consultation with concerned stakeholders.
Pakistan-based Bank Alfalah has completed its exit from Afghanistan after 20 years of operations, transferring its local banking business to Ghaznfar Bank, the lender said in a notice to shareholders on Friday.
The bank said the transaction was completed on November 5 after the signing of final agreements, approval from the State Bank of Pakistan and Da Afghanistan Bank, and fulfilment of other required conditions.
The deal allows Bank Alfalah to sell and transfer its operations in Afghanistan to Ghaznfar Bank, following approval from the regulatory authorities in both countries.
“Bank Alfalah has accordingly ceased its banking operations in Afghanistan and will complete the closure of its Afghanistan branches in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements,” the notice said.
Bank Alfalah began operating in Kabul in 2005, offering both conventional and Islamic banking services.
Abdul Haq Wasiq, head of Afghanistan’s General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), has said that Daesh uses social media platforms, including Telegram and TikTok, to communicate, secure financial resources and promote ideological diversion.
Wasiq made the remarks at the First SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
He said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), based on its beliefs and convictions, is at the forefront of the fight against Daesh. However, he added that Afghanistan faces serious constraints in dismantling the technical capabilities of the group.
According to Wasiq, technology companies and operators of Telegram and TikTok do not cooperate with Afghanistan in efforts to counter Daesh activities, a situation he said allows the group greater room to operate around the world.
The intelligence chief added that Daesh causes significant civilian casualties each year through its activities in different countries.
The First SCO Plus Expert Dialogue on Security Issues was held in Samarkand on November 5 and 6. Representatives from 24 countries and five international organisations attended the event to discuss counterterrorism, extremism and emerging security threats.
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