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UN human rights experts urge United States to ease Afghanistan assets freeze |


The Da Afghanistan Bank has more than 7 billion dollars of frozen reserves The team of experts said it could be used to deliver much-needed humanitarian relief to tens of millions of people in the country.

Cash blockade extension

In February, President Biden has issued an Executive Order to continue the cash blockade and is believed to use part of the funds for purposes within the United States, rather than immediate and long-term humanitarian needs in Afghanistan.

Rights experts appealed to Washington in a declaresays humanitarian exemption to Afghanistan sanctions – agreed by United Nations Security Council last December – has resulted in “no substantial progress” in financial or commercial aid to Afghanistan, as many foreign banks are concerned about violating the restrictions.

The ‘epic’ humanitarian crisis in the country

Especially interested in humanitarian crisis in the countryExperts added that it “seriously endangers the lives of more than half of the country’s population”.

“While gender-based violence has been a serious and long-term threat to women and girls, it has been exacerbated by measures taken by the United States, along with drought and increasing gender-based discrimination in facto administration”, the statement continued.

Echo words of the Secretary-General of the United Nationswho recently called this ‘a monumental humanitarian crisis on the brink of development disaster’, experts urge States to re-evaluate any unilateral measures adopted and to remove all obstacles. reluctance to provide necessary humanitarian and financial aid.

In January, UN launched its largest-ever humanitarian appeal to a country, asking for more than $5 billion this year to help the people of Afghanistan.

Emergency food insecurity

According to international assessment, Afghanistan now has the highest number of people in urgent food insecurity in the worldwith more than 23 million people in need of assistance, and about 95% of the population with insufficient food consumption.

Of particular concern is the vulnerability of more than four million internally displaced people, including those from ethnic minorities, and the more than 3.5 million people seeking refuge in neighboring countries. .


A displaced 10-year-old boy uses heat from a wood stove to stay warm during the harsh winter in Herat province, Afghanistan.

© UNICEF / Sayed Bidel

A displaced 10-year-old boy uses heat from a wood stove to stay warm during the harsh winter in Herat province, Afghanistan.

No progress in financial and commercial flows

Furthermore, experts emphasize that since its adoption in December Security Council 2651 and resolution establish humanitarian exemptions With respect to current sanctions, there has been no substantial progress in the financial or commercial flows for humanitarian and development purposes by States or international financial institutions to Afghanistan.

The uncertainty caused by banks’ risk-free policies and excessive compliance with sanctions has left humanitarian organizations facing serious operational challenges.

According to experts, the US Executive Order could “exacerbating an atmosphere of instability among the parties concerned … leading to overzealous adherence to sanctions,” thereby discouraging people. Afghanistan has “access to basic humanitarian goods”.

Call to re-evaluate

UN experts call for The United States seriously considers the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and re-evaluates the decision to freeze foreign assets of the Afghan Da Bank.reiterates that States have an obligation under international human rights law to ensure that activity under their jurisdiction does not lead to human rights violations.

They concluded by calling on the US authorities to take all appropriate actions to reverse the unilateral measure and contribute to international efforts in addressing the growing humanitarian crisis in the country. this.

Special rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based organization UN Human Rights Council arrive check and report back about a particular human rights topic or a country situation. They are independent of any government and do not get paid for their work.



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