A 25-year oil contract for the Amu Darya field was cancelled due to repeated violations by the Chinese company involved.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has announced the cancellation of a 25-year oil extraction contract in the Amu Darya basin with the Chinese company Afchin, citing repeated breaches of agreement terms.

In an official statement issued on Tuesday, June 17, the ministry stated that joint investigative committees had been formed to examine contractual violations. The findings reportedly confirmed that Afchin had repeatedly failed to meet its obligations.

The statement added that Afchin was not only non-compliant but also failed to implement agreed commitments, prompting the ministry to take legal steps to terminate the contract formally.

The Taliban has invited international legal and consulting firms to evaluate the legal aspects of the contract and to oversee financial settlements with the Chinese company.

According to the agreement, the Chinese company Afchin had committed to investing $150 million in the first year and $540 million over three years.

The Amu Darya oil field, located in Afghanistan’s Sar-e-Pul and Faryab provinces, spans over 4,500 square kilometers and contains an estimated 87 million tons of confirmed crude oil reserves, according to Taliban officials.

Analysts from energy watchdogs and institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) note that instability in Afghanistan’s investment climate could further deter foreign interest, despite its significant untapped natural resources.

Richard Bennett emphasized at the UN that gender apartheid in Afghanistan must be legally recognized to address systemic human rights violations.

During the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the human rights situation in Afghanistan was once again brought to the forefront of international attention. In side sessions focusing on Afghanistan, international officials and prominent researchers emphasized the urgent need to recognize and criminalize “gender apartheid” in the country.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan, spoke at a session titled “From Call to Action: Designing an Appropriate Research Mechanism for Afghanistan.” He highlighted that recognizing gender apartheid could be an effective way to address the systematic human rights violations in Afghanistan. Bennett stressed, “We need new pathways for accountability, pathways built around the survivors. One of these pathways, which I support, is the legalization of the concept of gender apartheid, a concept Afghan women have long advocated for.”

Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, underscored the importance of civil society and independent investigative mechanisms in documenting human rights violations. He stated, “The voice of civil society must resonate beyond Geneva, in New York and at the UN General Assembly. We need an independent research mechanism that can form the basis for targeted sanctions against human rights violators.”

In the continuation of the session, Fereshta Abasi, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, warned of the severe human rights crisis in Afghanistan and called for serious action from the international community. “We should not create a hierarchy among victims. Justice must be equal for all. The Human Rights Council is responsible for responding urgently and seriously to crises like Afghanistan,” she emphasized.

The 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council began on Monday, June 16, and will continue until July 9. On the first day of the session, Richard Bennett presented his official report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan to the council.

The situation for women in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate under the current regime, with severe restrictions imposed on their basic rights and freedoms. Women are now banned from most forms of education and employment, and public spaces have become increasingly inaccessible to them.

The imposition of strict dress codes and the prohibition of travel without a male guardian are just some of the oppressive measures Afghan women face daily. These systemic barriers have led to a crisis where the majority of Afghan women are unable to access the most basic services and opportunities.

The international community has expressed increasing concern over these violations, with many calling the treatment of Afghan women a form of gender apartheid. In addition to restrictions on education and work, Afghan women have been systematically excluded from political and social life. Their participation in governance, civil society, and leadership roles has been severely curtailed, leaving them with little recourse or representation. This exclusion has caused widespread harm, not only to women themselves but also to the broader Afghanistan society.

UN agencies urge urgent global support as over 3.5 million Afghan children face severe malnutrition amid worsening food insecurity crisis.

Several United Nations agencies have issued a joint call for urgent action to address the growing malnutrition crisis affecting women and children in Afghanistan. On Sunday, June 15, key humanitarian bodies including UNICEF, WHO, WFP, FAO, and UNFPA emphasized the need for rapid support to prevent further deterioration of health conditions.

According to the joint appeal, Afghanistan is among the 15 countries with the highest rates of malnutrition in women and children. The agencies report that more than 3.5 million children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition, with 1.4 million facing life-threatening conditions. The situation is compounded by a fragile healthcare system and limited resources.

The appeal also highlights that four in every ten Afghan women experience malnutrition, a crisis that is often overlooked in humanitarian responses. These women face serious health complications, especially during pregnancy and childbirth, increasing infant mortality and long-term developmental challenges.

The UN states that over 9.8 million people in Afghanistan are currently experiencing acute food insecurity. The primary causes include a weakened economy, prolonged drought, and environmental disasters. These factors continue to erode food systems and access to healthcare, further worsening the malnutrition crisis.

The joint strategic call focuses on integrated interventions such as food assistance, maternal and child healthcare, and nutritional education. The UN urges global donors and stakeholders to intensify their support for Afghanistan’s humanitarian response, which has seen a sharp 40% drop in funding compared to previous years.

Despite Afghanistan’s escalating nutritional emergency, international aid has declined significantly, putting millions of vulnerable lives at risk. UN agencies warn that without immediate funding and intervention, the crisis could lead to irreversible consequences for an entire generation.

Humanitarian leaders stress that global solidarity is critical to saving lives. They call on the international community to fulfill its obligations and prevent further suffering among Afghanistan’s women and children, who continue to face the brunt of conflict, climate shocks, and poverty.

The senior officials’ meeting on Afghanistan began today in Brussels, focusing on political stability and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country.

A high-level international meeting on Afghanistan began early Monday in Brussels, hosted by the European Union. Key regional and global stakeholders are attending the session.

The conference, scheduled for June 16 and 17, aims to develop coordinated responses and policy alignment among international actors regarding Afghanistan’s future.

Among the prominent participants is Mary Beth Bishop, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Afghanistan, alongside representatives from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and UNAMA’s political deputy.

The agenda focuses on two core issues: Afghanistan’s deteriorating political landscape and the worsening humanitarian crisis affecting millions of vulnerable civilians across the country.

This meeting comes amid rising concerns over food insecurity, restricted women’s rights, and limited humanitarian access under Taliban rule, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has also launched consultations on its new “Mosaic Approach” to better engage diverse Afghanistan’s political actors and civil society groups.

EU officials emphasized the urgency of sustained international engagement to prevent Afghanistan’s isolation and to protect basic rights and humanitarian needs.

Analysts suggest this meeting may shape the next phase of global diplomatic strategy toward Afghanistan, especially if inclusive governance and aid access are prioritized.

Over 10 countries condemned Afghanistan’s human rights violations, urging international accountability and justice, especially for women, vulnerable groups, and marginalized communities.

Representatives from over 10 countries condemned ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan, particularly against women, during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council held on June 16, 2025. The meeting featured a detailed briefing by Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, who presented his latest report focusing on justice access and the protection of women and girls.

Countries including Canada, Italy, Indonesia, Qatar, Ireland, South Africa, and Switzerland voiced deep concerns about the systematic suppression of women’s rights and gender-based violence under the Taliban regime. Delegates called for greater international accountability and urged the Taliban to cease public executions and oppressive policies.

Several member states reaffirmed their support for Afghanistan’s women and girls, pledging assistance in the areas of education and capacity-building. Some nations also highlighted the need for long-term strategies to empower Afghanistan civil society actors and human rights defenders.

Bennett’s report emphasized that the Taliban’s judicial system has facilitated widespread repression, eliminating avenues for women to seek justice. He highlighted the expansion of gender-based discrimination, forced marriages, and bans on education and employment for women and girls as core concerns.

Speakers also raised alarms about the safety and rights of other marginalized groups in Afghanistan, including LGBTQ+ individuals, the Hazara community, and other religious minorities. Multiple representatives stressed the importance of protecting these vulnerable populations from state-sponsored persecution.

This session reflected growing global frustration over the Taliban’s disregard for international human rights obligations. The consensus was clear: failure to uphold the rights of women and vuneriable groups is a breach of fundamental human values and must not go unchallenged.

Countries and international organizations are expected to increase diplomatic pressure, expand humanitarian aid targeting women and vulnerable communities, and document violations for potential international legal action. As the situation worsens, the need for coordinated global advocacy and support for Afghanistan’s citizens becomes increasingly urgent.