UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Thursday calling for independent recommendations on how a united international community should address the enormous challenges they face Afghanistan — Above all, the drastic restrictions on education and work for women and girls by the Taliban, but also terrorism and the desolate humanitarian and economic situation in the country.
The resolution, co-sponsored by Japan and the United Arab Emirates, calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to set up an independent body to assess the situation in Afghanistan and make proposals for a “coherent approach” for key actors inside and outside the United Nations to deal with political, humanitarian and development issues. She ordered the assessment to be submitted to the Security Council by November 17 at the latest.
The Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates, Lana Nusseibeh, was asked whether the Security Council and the UN Secretariat had run out of ideas for the future of Afghanistan. Calling the Afghan situation very complex, she said Council members hope the ideas from the independent assessment will help strengthen the Council’s thinking “and the thinking of the international community in relation to an international strategy.”
She criticized that there was no international strategy to deal with the challenges and crises in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan has been on an extremely alarming course since August 2021,” Nusseibeh said. “We therefore hope that the assessment will provide credible suggestions as to how the various relevant international and regional actors can unite around a common vision for the country and how we can advance this vision in the Security Council.”
She said the unanimous adoption of the resolution by the 15-member Security Council, paralyzed over Ukraine over Russia’s veto power and divided on other issues, shows unity in Afghanistan is possible.
The resolution lists a variety of challenges Afghanistan faces that need to be addressed, including human rights, especially of women and girls, the dire humanitarian situation, the problems of religious and ethnic minorities, security and terrorism, drug production, social issues, economy and development needs, promoting dialogue and improving governance and the rule of law.
The Taliban seized power in mid-August 2021 amid the 20-year chaotic withdrawal of US and NATO troops. Like the Taliban during their previous rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, they gradually re-enacted their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia. Girls are now barred from school beyond sixth grade and women are barred from most workplaces, public places like parks and gyms.
The Security Council also unanimously passed a second resolution extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan – UNAMA – until March 17, 2024.
Its mandate includes promoting inclusive political dialogue, monitoring and reporting on human rights, facilitating humanitarian assistance, addressing economic and social challenges, and countering terrorism and drugs.
“The role of UNAMA is becoming increasingly important and indispensable in this time of crisis,” Japan’s UN Ambassador Ishikane Kimihiro told the council ahead of the vote.
After the vote, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood called UNAMA “a lifeline for the people of Afghanistan” and said it was “vital in working towards the peace and stability that we all agree is essential for Afghanistan and… the world are so important”.
Source : news.yahoo.com