Latest News
US to increase pressure on IEA if decisions on women, girls are not reversed
The United States will take steps to increase pressure on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's (IEA) government to reverse some of its recent decisions restricting the rights of women and girls if it shows no sign of rescinding the actions on its own, Reuters reported.
"We've addressed it directly with the Taliban (IEA)," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a briefing on Monday.
"We have a number of tools that, if we feel these won't be reversed, these won't be undone, that we are prepared to move forward with."
He did not elaborate on the possible steps or indicate how the IEA, which has already implemented policies curbing 20 years of gains for girls' and women's rights, might have a change of heart.
On Saturday the IEA ordered women to cover their faces in public, a return to a signature policy of their past rule and an escalation of restrictions.
The ideal face covering was the all-encompassing burqa, the IEA said.
The IEA has also restricted girls and women from working and limited their travel unless accompanied by a close male relative. Most girls were also barred from going to school beyond seventh grade.
"We've consulted closely with our allies and partners," Price said. "There are steps that we will continue to take to increase pressure on the Taliban (IEA) to reverse some of these decisions, to make good on the promises that they have made."
A key piece of leverage held by Washington over the IEA is the $7 billion in frozen Afghan central bank assets on US soil - half of which the Biden administration is seeking to free up to help the Afghan people, the administration has said.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Roza Otunbayeva, is expected to brief the UN Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on Wednesday after UNAMA released its quarterly report Tuesday.
Tanja Fajon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, will preside over the meeting.
UNAMA’s latest report, which includes information gathered after the last report dated June 13, states that security incidents have increased against the same period last year; restrictions on women have increased, and almost more than 24 million people still need humanitarian aid.
The Islamic Emirate, meanwhile, expects that the reality of Afghanistan should be reflected in Otunbayeva’s report.
IEA has already asked UNAMA many times to reflect on the realities of Afghanistan in its reports and to refrain from exaggerating small issues.
Otunbayeva stated in her last report that by August 30 of this year, only 24.9 percent of the $2.9 billion dollars required for aid to Afghanistan had been provided.
Acting Minister of Interior Affairs Sirajuddin Haqqani met on Tuesday with the Japanese Ambassador to Kabul,Takayoshi Kuromiya, the ministry said in a statement.
Abdul Matin Qane, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, said in a post on X that apart from expressing satisfaction over the improved security situation, they discussed boosting Japan's aid to Afghanistan.
They also discussed a working group with UNAMA to tackle issues related to narcotics.
A spokesman for Afghanistan’s foreign affairs said Tuesday Islamic Emirate diplomats have been posted to Oman to reopen the Afghanistan embassy.
Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal said in a post on X the embassy in Muscat opened last Sunday.
Takal added that resuming the activities of the Afghan embassy with the cooperation of the host country will play a constructive role in strengthening political, economic, social and religious relations between Kabul and Muscat.
Saar: DABS’s problems and achievements in Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: UNSC to hold meeting on Afghanistan discussed
UNAMA chief to brief UNSC on Afghanistan on Wednesday
Haqqani meets with Japanese ambassador to Kabul
South Africa ‘wary’ of formidable Afghanistan ahead of ODI series
India PM Modi to visit Ukraine, foreign ministry says
Public Health Ministry tackles monkeypox threat
40,405 Palestinians killed in Israel’s military offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, Gaza health ministry says
Iran reports 33% increase in exports to Afghanistan in first 3 months of 2024
Pakistan bus accidents kill at least 34, authorities say
Saar: DABS’s problems and achievements in Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: UNSC to hold meeting on Afghanistan discussed
Saar: IEA’s engagement with world discussed
Tahawol: Situation of Afghan refugees discussed
Tahawol: Afghanistan-Pakistan relations discussed
-
Latest News5 days agoPakistani defense minister slams KP chief minister’s Kabul talks plan
-
Sport5 days agoAfghanistan v NZ test abandoned without a ball bowled
-
Sport4 days agoRashid returns as Afghanistan call up fresh faces for South Africa ODIs
-
Latest News5 days agoAfghan-origin gym owner shot dead in Delhi
-
World5 days agoNorth Korea shows first photos of banned uranium enrichment site
-
Regional4 days agoUS imposes sanctions on Chinese suppliers to Pakistan’s ballistic missile program
-
Latest News4 days agoConstruction of largest terminal kicks off in Herat
-
Latest News3 days agoUS aid to Afghanistan should be conditioned on treatment of women and children: McCaul