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UN Security Council to review Afghanistan situation
The United Nations has announced that the Security Council will hold a meeting on Friday, June 21, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.
Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), will provide an update at the session on the current state of affairs in the country.
This review comes shortly after Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur, released a report highlighting what he called the pervasive and severe violence against women in Afghanistan.
Bennett’s report states that the “systematic oppression of women and girls by the Taliban (Islamic Emirate)” could amount to “crimes against humanity.”
Bennett also urged the UN not to treat the Islamic Emirate as a recognized government in Afghanistan.
The Islamic Emirate said Wednesday Bennett’s report on the violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan was groundless and that it was an attempt to negatively influence people ahead of this month’s Doha meeting.
In response to these claims, the IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that certain people from the United Nations continuously present a false image of Afghanistan.
Mujahid emphasized that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan did however appreciate the support of some UN-member countries.
The IEA has also repeatedly said in the past that women’s rights are ensured in accordance with Sharia law.
The third Doha meeting, hosted by the United Nations, is scheduled for June 30 and July 1. This meeting will include special representatives from various countries focusing on Afghanistan.
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Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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