Chair Of Sanctions Committee: Terrorists Find More Freedom of Action in Afghanistan

However, she noted that the Taliban's approach to women's and girls' rights might prolong the existing impasse over the international community's engagement with the group.

At a meeting held on Wednesday to review the reports of the UN special representatives for Afghanistan, Otunbayeva stated that dialogue does not legitimise the Taliban, but can be used to express opposition and, at the same time, encourage the Taliban to change.

The UN Secretary-General's representative stressed on the need for a lasting international understanding on Afghanistan. She expressed hope that this understanding would emerge at the next meeting of special representatives for Afghanistan. She said that the Taliban's willingness to engage with countries around the world should be more effectively utilised.

Welcoming the report by Feridun Sinirlioglu, the Special Coordinator of the UN Secretary-General, praised it for providing necessary clarity on several issues. She added that the report presents a way for Afghanistan to integrate into the international system "without another cycle of violence and in accordance with international laws”.

She said, "Although there is something in this report that not everyone likes, I have asked everyone to focus on the larger goal."

Otunbayeva did not specify what these issues are.

Widespread Human Rights Violations

Otunbayeva identified the Taliban's lack of progress in addressing human rights issues as a major factor in the current deadlock in relations between the international community and the group.

Otunbayeva emphasised that adherence to and striving to maintain international standards and norms are non-negotiable conditions for Afghanistan's representation in the United Nations.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General said, "Key characteristics of the current human rights situation in Afghanistan are indicative of systematic discrimination against women and girls, suppression of political opponents and freedom of speech, lack of meaningful representation of minorities (in government bodies), and extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and maltreatment."

She added that despite the recent release of two female activists, several human rights defenders and media workers remain detained by the Taliban.

Ban on Girls' Education

The UN Special Envoy stated that the ban on girls' education and the worsening quality and access to education also affect boys' education in Afghanistan.

In the Security Council meeting on alternative education proposed by the Taliban for girls, Otunbayeva said that she had obtained ample evidence that "girls of all ages" can study in religious schools.

However, she stated it is unclear what is being taught in these schools. Otunbayeva raised questions about the existence of a "standard curriculum" in these schools that would allow modern subjects to be taught and how many girls can study in these schools.

She said that according to reports she has obtained, the Taliban's Ministry of Education is assessing these schools and also reviewing the curriculum of public schools.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General mentioned that Taliban education officials also told her that they are working on creating conditions for girls to return to school. However, Otunbayeva noted that time is passing while a generation of girls falls behind in education.

She said, "Failure to develop a modern curriculum with equal access for girls and boys makes it impossible for the Taliban to achieve economic self-sufficiency."

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General stated that many Afghans have told her they fear being forgotten, as has happened in the past. Otunbayeva said that her role and that of UNAMA is to prevent this from happening.

Terrorist Group Threats

The Secretary-General's representative at the Security Council meeting said that the Taliban have generally been successful in providing security. However, she pointed to the increase in attacks against Hazaras and Shias, who, she said, continue to be targeted.

In her speech, she referred to the killing of 39 Hazara and Shia people in three recent attacks documented in the latest report of the UN Secretary-General. She said that the ISIS has claimed responsibility for all these attacks.

Otunbayeva also said that countries in the region are deeply concerned about further potential threats originating from within Afghanistan.

She mentioned that Pakistan has concluded that the Taliban have been lax in curbing the Pakistani Taliban, which has claimed responsibility for recent terrorist attacks within Pakistan.

Concerns About Humanitarian Situation

Otunbayeva described the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as worrying. She said that more than 20 million people will be reliant on international community aid in the upcoming winter.

Otunbayeva added that with a reduced budget this year and expanded aid distribution, many needy Afghans will be more vulnerable than last year.

Rejection of UN Special Peace Envoy

The UN Secretary-General's representative also said that the Taliban considers the appointment of a Special Peace Envoy unacceptable. She stated that the Taliban's Foreign Minister justified this stance by saying that the long history of UN special representatives in Afghanistan has not been positive.

Khairullah Khairkhwa, Minister of Information and Culture for the Taliban also highlighted the importance of maintaining respect for individual "privacy" and refraining from insulting anyone in media content.

In a recent meeting in Kabul titled "Newspapers and National Languages - History, Development, Challenges, and Solutions," the Taliban addressed various media-related topics.

Khairkhwa underscored the necessity for media outlets to align with the "Islamic principles" upheld by the Taliban government, particularly regarding the respect for individual privacy.

The Taliban have implemented several restrictive measures affecting media operations in Afghanistan over the last two years.

Instances have been reported where Taliban officials pre-screen the content of media publications prior to their dissemination.

Despite these restrictions, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's spokesperson, maintains that Afghan media continue to operate with freedom.

He asserts that the Taliban have treated journalists fairly in Afghanistan, noting that only those under suspicion have been detained for further enquiry.

She highlighted a surge in gender apartheid, an increase in corporal punishment, and the suppression of women's and girls' rights and freedoms.

Akbar, a vocal advocate for women's rights, denounced the Taliban's assurances of respecting minority, women, and girls' rights as mere fabrications, evident to all observers. She underscored that her organisation, Rawadari, along with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), has documented numerous human rights infringements by the Taliban, including against journalists.

Among these violations, Akbar cited the detention of women's rights activists Manizha Sediqi and Parisa Azada by the Taliban. She raised concerns over the lack of accountability, noting that the Taliban have neither prosecuted nor investigated the perpetrators of crimes such as arbitrary detentions, extrajudicial killings of former government force members, and other serious human rights abuses.

Furthermore, Akbar revealed that the Taliban have systematically removed Shiite members from provincial and district Ulama Councils in Afghanistan.

This enduring prohibition, despite domestic protests and international calls for change, marks a significant setback in women's rights in the country.

Afghanistan International reported that a number of female students feel they have lost their future and hope due to this ban. One of them, Bano, a journalism student, had her studies halted with the Taliban's ascent to power and the closure of university doors. She expressed despair over her restricted life, confined to her home, and the detrimental impact this has had on her mental health.

On 20 December 2022, the Taliban's Ministry of Higher Education announced the suspension of girls' university education until further notice. Since then, the regime has not only refrained from reopening educational institutions for women but has also imposed additional limitations on their social life.

Other female students have voiced strong opposition to any recognition of the Taliban administration, arguing that such engagement would further undermine the plight of Afghan girls.

Moreover, just days after shutting down universities for female students, the Taliban also prohibited women from working in non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan. This move further illustrates the group's restrictive stance on women's rights and freedoms.

Despite ongoing internal resistance and external pressures, the Taliban remains unmoved in their stance, continuing to deny Afghan women and girls access to education and professional opportunities.

Muttaqi emphasised the growing ties between the Taliban and Russia, expressing gratitude for Russia's support in international forums and advocating for stronger economic connections. The Taliban, as per a statement issued on Wednesday by Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the group’s foreign ministry spokesperson, is prepared to assist the transit of Russian goods to South Asia by reconstructing the Salang tunnel.

Kabulov, highlighting the evolving geopolitical landscape, stated that new regional mechanisms should not be implemented without the Taliban's consent. He encouraged nations with grievances against Afghanistan to engage directly with the Taliban for resolution.

The statement did not specify any countries or detail the mentioned mechanisms. However, it noted Kabulov's call for the U.S. to release Afghanistan's frozen foreign exchange reserves, aiming to bolster the Afghan economy.

Moscow, while maintaining strong ties with the Taliban, has stopped short of officially recognising their government. It recently hosted a gathering of Taliban opposition groups titled “Afghanistan between the Past and the Future”, backed by A Just Russia Party and the country’s Academy of Sciences. The event saw intense critique of the Taliban's policies.