Afghanistan Peace CampaignRoza Otunbayeva stated that they expect to maintain the issue of recognition and the role of the special envoy for Afghanistan in the third Doha meeting.
The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan says that the issue of recognition and the role of the special envoy to Afghanistan are on their agenda.
After the conclusion of the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva stated in a press conference that they expect to maintain the issue of recognition and the role of the special envoy for Afghanistan in the third Doha meeting.
Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, believes that the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled to be held in June.
“We are approaching another Doha meeting in the future, and I hope to maintain the issue of recognition and the role of the special envoy, which is now on the agenda. This is exactly to work on this unity,” said Roza Otunbayeva.
However, at last night’s (Wednesday) UN Security Council meeting, some members emphasized positive international engagement with the Islamic Emirate. The representatives of Russia and China at this meeting consider constructive engagement with the interim government authorities as the only solution to the current problems in Afghanistan.
“We have consistently emphasized that there is no alternative to a comprehensive approach to Afghanistan. This approach, based on an objective analysis and accurate assessment of the situation and prospects for resolving the issue of Afghanistan, includes constructive engagement within the international community itself,” said Anna Evstigneeva, Deputy Representative of Russia to the UN.
“The international community should gradually, through patient communication with Afghan authorities, increase their understanding and trust in the outside world, and Afghan authorities, in response to international expectations, should adopt more effective initiatives, create favorable conditions for dialogue and interaction, and also avoid assumptions and imposing programs on Afghanistan,” said Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN.
Human rights issues, one of the main agendas of this meeting, were also emphasized by some members of the Security Council and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the full observance of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
“Many women are currently afraid to move in public places. I take this opportunity to call again on the de facto authorities to reverse these restrictions. The longer these restrictions on women and girls continue, the more damage will be done,” stated Roza Otunbayeva.
“The Taliban are also detaining women who are not legally required to wear a hijab. The United States is working with Afghan women to be ready for the day when they can fully participate in society,” said Robert Wood, Deputy Permanent Representative of the USA to the UN.
“We emphasize that any future international action or engagement with the Taliban must maintain Afghanistan’s international obligations regarding combating terrorism, human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, as a conditional component,” said Naseer Ahmad Faiq, Acting Head of the Afghan seat at the UN.
However, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN claims that terrorist organizations in Afghanistan pose a security threat to its neighbors. Munir Akram says that combating terrorism must be a condition for engagement with the interim Afghan government.
“Terrorism from within Afghanistan poses the most serious impediment to normalization in Afghanistan. The terrorist organizations present there, pose security threat to each of Afghanistan’s immediate neighbors. Counter terrorism must be the highest priority in any future roadmap for engagement with the interim Afghan government,” stated Munir Akram.
Previously, the UN Security Council had held several meetings on the situation in Afghanistan, but according to experts, these meetings have not yet resulted in a positive outcome in resolving Afghanistan’s fundamental issues.