File photo of Taliban fighters. (Photo by Fraidoon Poya, UNAMA)
New York: The United Nations Security Council that had an open meeting on Afghanistan on August 16, 2021 – a day after the militant group took control of Kabul – reaffirmed the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan to ensure the territory of Afghanistan should not be used to threaten or attack any country.
“… neither the Taliban nor any other Afghan group or individual should support terrorists operating on the territory of any other country,” it stated. The UNSC press statement was issued by Council President T.S. Tirumurti (India).
Ironically, even when the UNSC was exhorting Taliban not to support terrorists, Afghans, who are fleeing the country, were tweeting about the terror unleashed by the Taliban in the country. The following tweet is a testimony:
WAR CRIMES. MASS KILLINGES BY TALIBAN IN KANDAHAR. WE ARE PAYING THE COST OF ALLIANCE WITH AMERICA. 🇺🇸 TURNED 🇦🇫 INTO RAWANDA OF 21ST CENTURY. WE WILL NEVER FORGIVE AND WILL NEVER FORGET.
NOTE: I AM IN CONSULTATION WITH MY TEAMMATES. WILL SOON MAKE OUR CHOICE. pic.twitter.com/WyH8RBFzh0
— Sarfaraz (@Sarfaraz1201) August 16, 2021
The US President, Joe Biden, was scheduled to deliver remarks on Afghanistan in a short while today. Earlier on August 14, 2021, he had made a statement where he had said that he had inherited a deal cut by his predecessor (Donald Trump)—which he invited the Taliban to discuss at Camp David on the eve of 9/11 of 2019—that left the Taliban in the strongest position militarily since 2001 and imposed a May 1, 2021 deadline on U.S. Forces. Shortly before Trump left office, he also drew U.S. Forces down to a bare minimum of 2,500. “Therefore, when I became President, I faced a choice—follow through on the deal, with a brief extension to get our Forces and our allies’ Forces out safely, or ramp up our presence and send more American troops to fight once again in another country’s civil conflict. I was the fourth President to preside over an American troop presence in Afghanistan—two Republicans, two Democrats. I would not, and will not, pass this war onto a fifth.”
Watch the statement made by the US President on Afghanistan today, here:
Meanwhile, the members of the Security Council today further called for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and the establishment, through inclusive negotiations, of a new Government that is united, inclusive and representative — including with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women. They underlined that institutional continuity and adherence to Afghanistan’s international obligations, as well as the safety and security of all Afghan and international citizens, must be ensured.
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The UNSC members further called for an immediate end to the violence in Afghanistan, the restoration of security, civil and constitutional order, and urgent talks to resolve the current crisis of authority in the country and to arrive at a peaceful settlement through an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned process of national reconciliation.
They underscored that a sustainable end to the conflict in Afghanistan can only be achieved through an inclusive, just, durable and realistic political settlement that upholds human rights, including for women, children and minorities. The members of the Security Council called on parties to adhere to international norms and standards on human rights and put an end to all abuses and violations in this regard.
While expressing deep concern about the number of reported serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses in communities affected by the ongoing armed conflict across the country, the UNSC members stressed the urgent and imperative need to bring the perpetrators to justice. They underlined that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians. They further underscored the particular situation of vulnerability of humanitarian and medical personnel, interpreters and other international service providers.
The members of the Security Council called for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, and on all parties to allow immediate, safe and unhindered humanitarian access for United Nations humanitarian agencies and other humanitarian actors providing assistance, including across conflict lines, to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all those in need.
The members of the Security Council reiterated their support to the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). They emphasized the importance of the safety and security of United Nations personnel as well as of diplomatic and consular personnel of United Nations Member States.
– global bihari bureau
