GENEVA — Noor Jalal Jalali, the Taliban’s minister of public health, during his visit to Switzerland, met with the Director General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, according to the Taliban-run public health ministry.
The ministry stated that the visit aims to enhance coordination between international health organizations and the Taliban-run health ministry.
The Taliban-run health ministry’s statement, noted that Jalali met with the officials of various health organizations, discussing Afghan health sector and counter polio disease in the country.
This visit follows a series of controversial trips by Taliban officials, including some individuals banned by the United Nations, sparking significant criticism from Afghan citizens and human rights defenders. In June, the United Nations Security Council granted a travel exception for Sirajuddin Haqqani, allowing him to attend meetings on regional security, stability, and reconciliation in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from June 21 to 25, 2024.
Human rights advocates argue that the UN should not overlook the demands of the Afghan people in its engagements with the Taliban. Critics contend that by allowing such privileges for Taliban officials, the UNSC has compromised human rights values and justice.
