World ‘must get involved’ or risk Afghanistan collapse, Security Council hears – Global Affairs

Despite some positive progress over the past few months, the Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan said they have been “too little and too slow and they outweighed by the negative“.

Women’s rights

He drew attention to the ongoing ban on girls’ secondary education and the growing restrictions on women’s rights, such as “Signals that the Taliban are indifferent to more than 50% of the population” and willing to risk international isolation.

“The fact that women and girls have to live in families not only deprives them of their rights, but Afghanistan as a whole is denied the benefits of the substantial contributions that women and girls make,” he detailed. contribute.

Terrorism fears ‘removed’

Meanwhile, from armed clashes to deadly terrorist attacks, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has been tracking a steady increase in security incidents by terrorist groups and others.

“Ours Earlier warnings about the possibility of the Islamic State of Khorosan Province (ISKP) were dismissed by the Taliban,’ he told the ambassadors.

“But only in the last few months, ISKP has proven that it can carry out assassinations of figures close to the Taliban, attack foreign embassies, as well as fire rockets across the Afghan border to attack Afghanistan. neighboring countries – all while maintaining his age-old sect. Mr. Potzel said.

Violation of provincial rights

And armed clashes are still ongoing between Taliban security forces and opposition armed groups in the provinces of Panjshir, Baghlan, Kapisa, Takhar and Badakhshan, the UN envoy continued.

“There are troubling reports, as well as videos and photos, that show serious human rights violations that could be happening in Panjshir,” he said. called for an investigation into extrajudicial murder allegations there.

The mission will continue to carefully monitor these and other reports of serious human rights abuses, he added.

UN strengthens cash economy

As per capita income fell to 2007 levels – wiping out 15 years of economic growth – the country’s economic situation “remains weak” (with very few details on the Taliban) in part due to Afghanistan being isolated from the international banking system.

“Liquidity remains heavily dependent on the cash the UN continues to provide for humanitarian operations – I must emphasize that the cash supports the needs of the Afghan people and is not directly related to the actual authorities,” Mr. Potzel said.

But even funding is uncertain as the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan received only $1.9 billion of the $4.4 billion requested.

No representative

Humanitarian and economic measures will not meet the long-term needs of the Afghan people, and emergency aid cannot replace systems that provide essential services, such as health and water, or prevent an economic collapse, he warned.

Furthermore, the continued lack of political inclusivity and transparency in decision-making leaves most Afghans without any government representation.

“There is no consistent mechanism for citizens to provide feedback to the authorities and little sign that the Taliban even want to hear anyThe UN special envoy said.

‘We have to get involved’

While the self-proclaimed emirate of the Taliban has not been recognized by any state, the international community also does not want to see the country fall, Potzel stressed.

“If the Taliban fail to meet the needs of all segments of Afghan society and engage constructively during a period of very limited opportunity with the international community, it is not clear what will happen next. “, said the deputy special representative.

“Further fragmentation, isolation, poverty and internal strife are among the possible scenarios, leading to the possibility of mass migration and a favorable domestic environment for terrorist organizations. , as well as making the people of Afghanistan more miserable.

“That’s why we have to join”he declared, adding that “continued eligible participation” was the most practical way to help the people of Afghanistan.