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Iranian envoy says increase in Daesh activity in Afghanistan concerning
Iran’s representative to the United Nations expressed alarm over the increasing activities of Daesh and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan during a Security Council meeting.
The envoy also criticized the Taliban’s restrictions on women, stating that these policies have exacerbated the country’s humanitarian crisis.
“A comprehensive and inclusive government is crucial for lasting stability in Afghanistan,” the envoy said, emphasizing the need for political reform.
He further called for urgent action to address the growing production of narcotics in Afghanistan, which remains a significant challenge.
The Iranian envoy noted satisfaction with the outcomes of the third Doha meeting, which resulted in the formation of working groups aimed at addressing key issues.
Russian envoy says Taliban efforts against terrorist groups not sufficient
Vasily Alekseyevich Nebenzya, Russia’s envoy to the UN, voiced serious concerns about rising security risks in Afghanistan due to persistent terrorist activities by the ISIS.
“While we acknowledge efforts undertaken by the Taliban, unfortunately, these can hardly be described as sufficient to definitively root out terrorism,” Nebenzya said during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.
He warned that ISIL fighters are increasing their presence in the country, deliberately escalating tensions, recruiting new members, including foreign terrorist fighters, and continuing to carry out attacks. “The threat is growing, and it requires urgent attention,” he emphasized.
US envoy condemns Taliban’s ban on women’s medical education
The U.S. representative to the United Nations denounced the Taliban’s ban on women’s medical education, calling it “unacceptable and sick.”
“These restrictions disrupt humanitarian aid efforts,” the envoy said, emphasizing the challenges posed by the Taliban’s policies.
The representative noted that the U.S. has engaged bilaterally with the Taliban to ensure assistance reaches the Afghan people. “Women must have a role in the Doha process,” the envoy added, reaffirming U.S. support.
“We stand with you,” she said, referring to women in Afghanistan.
Envoys says South Korea concerned over religious minorities situation in Afghanistan
The South Korean representative to the UN voiced concern over the Taliban’s ban on women’s medical education, noting that Afghanistan is already grappling with a severe healthcare crisis.
“Taliban restrictions on women are unacceptable,” the envoy stated, emphasizing the broader implications of such policies.
The representative also expressed South Korea’s deep concern about the situation of religious minorities in Afghanistan, highlighting the need for greater protections.
Afghanistan’s robotics team founder criticizes exclusion of women from Doha meeting
Addressing the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan, Roya Mahboob, founder of Afghanistan’s robotics team, criticized the recent meeting between special envoys and the Taliban delegation in Doha for excluding women and civil society representatives.
“I urge you to consider the message you send when you meet with the Taliban in Doha without women and civil society present. You enable them; you enable gender apartheid,” Mahboob said.
She emphasized that women’s rights are inseparable from broader human rights. “Women’s rights are not just about women. They are about human rights. Without them, there can be neither peace nor security,” she added.
Chinese envoy warns of global security threat from terrorist groups in Afghanistan
In his address to the UNSC meeting, the Chinese representative to the United Nations expressed concern that terrorist groups in Afghanistan continue to pose a significant threat to global security.
He said the international community must take a unified approach to combating terrorism.
Afghanistan’s robotics team founder criticizes exclusion of women from Doha meeting
Addressing the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan, Roya Mahboob, founder of Afghanistan’s robotics team, criticized the recent meeting between special envoys and the Taliban delegation in Doha for excluding women and civil society representatives.
“I urge you to consider the message you send when you meet with the Taliban in Doha without women and civil society present. You enable them; you enable gender apartheid,” Mahboob said.
She emphasized that women’s rights are inseparable from broader human rights. “Women’s rights are not just about women. They are about human rights. Without them, there can be neither peace nor security,” she added.
UN official warns Taliban ban on women’s medical education will devastate Afghanistan’s healthcare
Tom Fletcher, the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told the U.N. Security Council that the Taliban’s recent ban on women attending medical institutes represents a devastating blow to Afghanistan’s healthcare system.
“This was the last remaining sector where Afghan women could pursue higher education following the ban on girls’ higher education in December 2022,” Fletcher said.
He warned that the directive would cause serious and lasting damage, potentially preventing more than 36,000 midwives and 2,800 nurses from entering the workforce in the coming years.
Fletcher emphasized the dire consequences of this policy, predicting a dramatic rise in maternal, neonatal, and anogenital mortality rates. “Already, more than one-third of Afghan women give birth without professional medical support,” he said, noting that preventable maternal complications claim the life of a woman in Afghanistan every two hours.
Chinese envoy warns of global security threat from terrorist groups in Afghanistan
In his address to the UNSC meeting, the Chinese representative to the United Nations expressed concern that terrorist groups in Afghanistan continue to pose a significant threat to global security.
He said the international community must take a unified approach to combating terrorism.
UNAMA chief Roza Otunbayeva told the U.N. Security Council that the Taliban’s announcement banning female students from attending medical institutes and higher education classes would have far-reaching consequences.
“If fully implemented, this decision will severely impact women and girls in particular, but also men, boys, and the entire community,” Otunbayeva said. “It denies Afghans access to a functional health care system, with devastating implications for the country as a whole.”
Ecuador’s envoy: Some Taliban figures remain involved in drug production
Ecuador’s envoy at the UN Security Council said that as per the 15th report of the monitoring team, “some key Taliban figures remain deeply involved in drug production cartels and trafficking networks, while normal Afghan farmers struggle to shift to alternative cash crops.”
Taliban ban on women's medical education will leave far-reaching consequences: Otunbayeva
UNAMA chief Roza Otunbayeva told the U.N. Security Council that the Taliban’s announcement banning female students from attending medical institutes and higher education classes would have far-reaching consequences.
“If fully implemented, this decision will severely impact women and girls in particular, but also men, boys, and the entire community,” Otunbayeva said. “It denies Afghans access to a functional health care system, with devastating implications for the country as a whole.”
Roza Otunbayeva says the strict segregation of women in business activities in Afghanistan is further restricting their livelihoods and negatively affecting their mental health.
“These restrictions have serious consequences for their families, particularly children,” Otunbayeva said, highlighting the broader societal impact of the Taliban’s policies on women.
UNSC meeting: UNAMA chief highlights goals for Afghanistan
Addressing the U.N. Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), emphasized the importance of reintegrating Afghanistan into the international community and ensuring the country upholds its international obligations.
Taliban’s restrictions on women pose obstacles, says UNAMA chief
Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in her address to UNSC meeting described the Taliban’s restrictions on Afghan women working for national and international organizations, including the U.N., as a significant obstacle.
“These restrictions require strong advocacy and coordinated mitigating actions,” Otunbayeva said, emphasizing the challenges posed by the Taliban's policies to humanitarian and developmental operations in the country.
Addressing the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan, UNAMA chief Roza Otunbayeva says the UN has been able to provide aid to 15.3 million people this year.
UNAMA chief breifs Security Council members
Roza Otunbayeva, UNAMA chief, says Taliban should reconsider their new ban on women’s medical education as she addresses the UNSC session.