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UNAMA chief briefs UNSC, says humanitarian situation remains a ‘grave concern’

Published

3 years ago

December 20, 2023

UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva briefed the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday and said the humanitarian situation remains a grave concern; and that as another winter approaches, more than 20 million people will depend on aid.

She also said key features of the human rights situation in the country are “a record of systemic discrimination against women and girls.”

According to her, there was “repression of political dissent and free speech, a lack of meaningful representation of minorities, and ongoing instances of extrajudicial killing, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and illtreatment.”

She thanked the Security Council for considering the situation in Afghanistan “several times over the past month,” and that “in a world of multiplying crises, I am grateful for this ongoing attention to Afghanistan.

“Many Afghans inform me that they fear being forgotten, as they have been in the past. I strongly believe that my role, and that of UNAMA, is to prevent this from happening.”

According to her, the lack of progress in resolving human rights issues is a key factor behind the current impasse and that accepting and working to uphold the international norms and standards, as set out in the UN Treaties that Afghanistan has ratified, “will continue to be a non-negotiable condition for a seat at the United Nations.”

She noted however that the Islamic Emirate “continue to maintain a generally good level of security,” although unexploded ordnance remains a significant concern.

According to her, the Shia community remains at disproportionate risk of harm – especially by ISIL-KP (Daesh).

“At the same time regional countries remain deeply concerned about additional possible threats emanating from inside Afghanistan. In particular, Pakistan remains convinced that the de facto authorities (IEA) have done too little to contain the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has claimed major recent terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

Otunbayeva said she was in Islamabad last week and raised the issue of the expulsion of undocumented Afghans living in Pakistan.

She said Pakistan’s decision has led to a deterioration of relations between the two countries; and that “it is essential that both sides take measures to prevent further deterioration and begin working on issues of common interest.”

According to her, almost 500,000 Afghans have returned home and that “a consortium of humanitarian actors” are working constantly alongside the IEA to provide these families with assistance.

“This has proven to be an effective cooperation and the de facto authorities IIEA) have responded with great professionalism despite lacking resources. The returnees are the poorest of the poor. 80,0000 of them have nowhere in Afghanistan to go. The human rights consequences for women and girls forced to return are particularly severe,” she said.
Otunbayeva also raised the issue of education and said while the international community has called for the ban on girls’ education to be reversed, the overall quality of education had deteriorated.

She also raised the issue of climate change and its effects on Afghanistan.

“Afghanistan is one of the most climate change-affected countries in the world while it has contributed least to its causes. I continue to believe that the de facto authorities (IEA) need to be part of this global conversation.”

She went on to say that addressing Afghanistan’s climate crisis should transcend politics – especially as the lack of water from recurring drought has reached a level of urgency that is felt across the country including Kabul.

“The de facto authorities (IEA) have demonstrated a desire to engage with the international community on this issue.

“I urge all of us to find ways of including Afghanistan in future meetings on climate change,” she said.

In terms of the UN’s future approach to dealing with the IEA, she said the organization should be guided by two factors; a durable and more detailed international consensus on Afghanistan and making far greater use of the IEA’s willingness to engage in dialogue with members of the international community.

“Dialogue does not legitimize. It can be used to express disapproval yet encourage change,” she said and that “there must be more direct engagement with the de facto authorities (IEA), including in Kabul.”

The IEA has not yet commented on Otunbayeva’s report.

Related Topics:featured Roza Otunbayeva UNAMA UNSC meeting on Afghanistan

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Afghan minister says ‘outsiders’ should not claim to support Afghanistan’s independence

The meeting was attended by governors of Sar-e-Pul and Samangan provinces, local officials, religious scholars, and a number of local residents.

Published

8 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Ariana News

Minister of Borders, Ethnic Affairs and Tribes Noorullah Noori has said that those who interfered in Afghanistan over the past twenty years should now not claim to support a “free and independent Afghanistan.”

According to a statement, Noori made the remarks during a public gathering titled “Unity and Coordination with the People” held in the Kohistanat district of northern Sar-e-Pul province, during his official visit to the province.

The meeting was attended by governors of Sar-e-Pul and Samangan provinces, local officials, religious scholars, and a number of local residents.

Noori stated that under the Islamic system, the beliefs, history, freedom, and values of the Afghan people are protected and safeguarded. He added that those who, over the past twenty years, tested the Afghan people for their own “malicious objectives” should not now claim to support Afghanistan’s independence.

He further emphasized that the people of Afghanistan are not aligned with the Islamic Emirate out of compulsion, but rather support the Islamic system based on faith, ideology, culture, and political belief.

Participants of the gathering also stressed the importance of strengthening the Islamic system and enhancing national unity. They stated that the current system enjoys domestic legitimacy among the Afghan people and that those plotting against it are not accepted by society.

They further added that they will continue to defend the existing system through unity and solidarity and will not allow insecurity or external interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

International Sports

FIFA World Cup group stage wraps up; moves into high-stakes knock out round

With the safety net of the group stage now gone, every match will produce either jubilation or heartbreak.

Published

9 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Ariana News

The group stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially concluded, with the tournament now shifting into the high-stakes knockout round where every match becomes do-or-die.

The Round of 32 gets underway today, with one of the tournament’s biggest surprise stories taking centre stage as South Africa face co-hosts Canada at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

While traditional football powerhouses such as Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, England and the Netherlands safely progressed to the knockout phase, this year’s expanded 48-team tournament has also produced one of African football’s greatest World Cup campaigns.

For the first time in tournament history, nine African nations have qualified for the knockout rounds, underlining the continent’s growing strength on football’s biggest stage.

Morocco once again demonstrated why they remain one of Africa’s elite sides, finishing second behind Brazil in Group C with seven points after an impressive campaign that included a draw against the five-time world champions.

Ghana also lived up to expectations by advancing from a difficult Group L, while Senegal secured qualification from Group I after another composed and disciplined tournament.

However, the biggest headlines belonged to Africa’s emerging football nations.

South Africa completed one of the stories of the tournament by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time after defeating South Korea 1-0 in a dramatic final group match. Bafana Bafana, who were given little chance of progressing before the competition began, have become one of the World Cup’s surprise packages.

Ivory Coast also reached the last 32 for the first time after recovering from defeat to Germany with convincing victories over Ecuador and Curaçao.

Egypt booked their place after earning a crucial draw against Iran, while Algeria secured qualification following an entertaining 3-3 draw with Austria.

Cape Verde has perhaps captured the imagination of football fans more than any other African nation. The island nation remained unbeaten through the group stage, earning draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to advance in their World Cup debut knockout appearance. Veteran goalkeeper Vozinha produced a series of memorable performances, including a standout display against Spain.

The Democratic Republic of Congo also made history, recording their first-ever World Cup victory with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan to secure a place in the knockout rounds.

Africa’s representatives now face a daunting but exciting set of Round of 32 fixtures. South Africa meet Canada in the opening knockout match on Sunday, Morocco take on the Netherlands, Ghana face Colombia, Ivory Coast battle Norway, DR Congo play England, Senegal meet Belgium, Algeria face Switzerland, Egypt take on Australia, and Cape Verde will test themselves against defending champions Argentina.

The knockout stage also features an impressive mix of football’s traditional heavyweights and emerging nations. Hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States all advanced, alongside Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, England, Belgium, Portugal, Colombia, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Morocco.

With the safety net of the group stage now gone, every match will produce either jubilation or heartbreak. For Africa, however, the tournament has already become one to remember. Nine nations remain in contention, carrying not only their own ambitions but the hopes of an entire continent into the World Cup’s decisive rounds.

Fans across Afghanistan can tune in to Ariana Radio and Television Network (ATN) daily to watch this exciting event unfold as ATN has the exclusive rights to broadcast the event across the country live.

Football fans are encouraged to follow Ariana Television and Ariana News’ social media pages for updates, latest stats and match schedules so as not to miss out on the action.

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Afghanistan remains central to SCO–UN talks in New York Consultations

According to the SCO Secretariat, the meeting was held on June 26 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where both sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues related to mutual cooperation.

Published

10 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Ariana News

The Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) says that Afghanistan and efforts to ensure stability in the country were among the key topics discussed during the fourth round of consultations with the United Nations Secretariat.

The United Nations delegation provided updates on its work under the “Climate, Peace and Security” agenda, ongoing efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, and support for Central Asian countries in maintaining sustainable peace and stability in the region.

Meanwhile, the SCO Secretariat briefed the UN side on preparations for the upcoming Bishkek Summit, the outcomes of ministerial meetings held under Kyrgyzstan’s chairmanship, and progress on institutional reforms within the organization.

The SCO Secretariat added that the consultations were conducted in a constructive atmosphere.