UN Security Council to discuss Afghanistan Crisis on Monday

June 19, 2025
By Fidel Rahmati
Khaama Press

The UN Security Council will meet on Monday to discuss Afghanistan’s worsening crisis, including restrictions on women’s rights and the country’s economic collapse.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has announced that the UN Security Council will convene a session on Monday, June 23, to discuss the ongoing humanitarian and human rights situation in Afghanistan.

According to a statement released by UNAMA on Thursday, June 19, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Roza Otunbayeva, will brief the Security Council during the session.

The council is also expected to review the latest report on Afghanistan by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The report is likely to address a range of critical issues, including human rights, education, and economic stability under Taliban rule.

This session comes at a time when Afghan girls and women continue to face strict bans on access to education, university-level learning, and formal employment — policies widely condemned by the international community.

Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s economic situation continues to deteriorate. Under Taliban governance, inflation, unemployment, and humanitarian needs have escalated, leaving millions of citizens in dire need of international assistance.

The upcoming Security Council meeting will be crucial for reassessing the UN’s role and strategy in addressing Afghanistan’s growing crises. With limited diplomatic engagement from the Taliban and worsening living conditions on the ground, international pressure is mounting.

Observers hope that the session will produce meaningful recommendations and reinforce the UN’s commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of Afghan women, girls, and vulnerable communities across the country.

UN Security Council to discuss Afghanistan Crisis on Monday
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Muttaqi: Norway’s Recognition of Afghan Envoy Builds Trust

June 19, 2025
Bibi Amina Hakimi
TOLOnews’ Reporter

In the latest development, the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan met with the chargé d’affaires of the Norwegian Embassy in Kabul.

Four years after political changes in Afghanistan and the cooling of relations with most Western countries, signs are now emerging of a gradual thaw in diplomatic ties.

In the latest development, the acting foreign minister of Afghanistan met with the chargé d’affaires of the Norwegian Embassy in Kabul.

The meeting, which primarily focused on bilateral relations and regional developments, saw Amir Khan Muttaqi describe Norway’s acceptance of the Islamic Emirate’s diplomatic representative as a “positive step” toward confidence-building.

Zia Ahmad Takal, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: “They discussed a series of bilateral and regional issues. The Foreign Minister considered Norway’s acceptance of the Islamic Emirate’s diplomat as a good development in building trust and strengthening relations.”

During the meeting, the acting foreign minister expressed concern over the tense regional situation, particularly the conflict between Iran and Israel, and emphasized Afghanistan’s readiness to cooperate with the people of Iran based on Islamic and humanitarian principles.

The Norwegian chargé d’affaires in Kabul announced that a Norwegian delegation is scheduled to visit Afghanistan in the near future to assess the situation and explore opportunities to expand relations with Kabul. Experts believe this could pave the way for broader dialogue between the Islamic Emirate and Western countries.

University professor Abdul Nasir Shafeeq stated: “The more countries expand their relations with Afghanistan, the more beneficial it will be for both sides, especially for Afghanistan, which needs global engagement, and likewise for the world, which also needs to engage with Afghanistan.”

Political analyst Fazl Manan Mumtaz commented: “European countries, especially in political matters, often align with the US perspective. Any step forward in this regard is positive and represents progress. It is important that the Islamic Emirate utilize experienced and professional diplomats in its foreign affairs system.”

Norway has previously played an active role in Afghanistan’s political affairs, both during the former government and after recent changes.

In recent years, several conferences on Afghanistan’s future have been held in Oslo, reflecting Norway’s interest in mediating between Kabul and the international community.

Muttaqi: Norway’s Recognition of Afghan Envoy Builds Trust
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UN Reports 3% Rise in Security Incidents in Afghanistan

June 19, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
19 June 2025

In the security section, the report states that anti-security incidents have increased by three percent compared to the same period last year.

The UN Secretary-General has released his quarterly report covering the period from February 1 to April 30, 2025, addressing the political, security, human rights, and economic situation in Afghanistan.

In the security section, the report states that anti-security incidents have increased by three percent compared to the same period last year.

Clashes along the hypothetical Durand line with Pakistan and ISIS attacks in Kabul and Kunduz are among the major incidents highlighted.

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, said: “From 1 February to 30 April 2025, the United Nations recorded 2,299 safety and security-related incident reports, marking a 3 per cent increase as compared with the same period in 2024. ISIL-K claimed an attack in Kunduz City, on 11 February, against de facto security forces collecting their salaries. Nineteen men (4 civilians and 15 de facto authority members) were killed.”

“The UN reports, mostly focused on Afghanistan’s legal and civil situations, clearly show ongoing challenges that remain national and international issues. Ultimately, the Islamic Emirate must work to eliminate these challenges so that regional and global countries have no remaining concerns,” said Sayed Moqaddam Amin, a political analyst.

Non-payment of pensions and the continued closure of schools and universities to girls are listed as serious human rights challenges.

The report emphasizes that the school year began without any clarity on the future of girls’ education.

Antonio Guterres noted: “On 20 March, the academic year commenced, marking the fourth consecutive school year in which women and girls were excluded from education beyond grade six. The de facto authorities have not made any announcements on the reopening of education to girls and women.”

“The Islamic Emirate and the international community must move beyond their seemingly immovable positions and find mutual understanding on these issues,” said Edris Mohammadi Zazai, another political analyst.

This quarterly report comes as the UN Security Council is set to hold a meeting on the situation in Afghanistan within the next week.

The meeting will review the political, humanitarian, and economic situation of Afghanistan.

So far, the Islamic Emirate has not responded to the UN Secretary-General’s report.

UN Reports 3% Rise in Security Incidents in Afghanistan
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Teenage foreign worker among those killed in strikes in Iran

June 18, 2025
Azadeh Moshiri
Pakistan correspondent
BBC News
June 18, 2025
Supplied Abdul Wali, 18, in a selfie picture with cars behind him
Abdul Wali, 18, survived the initial blast but died hours later in hospital

“He wasn’t a politician, he was just a teenager, working hard to support our family back home,” Abdul Ghani tells us of his eldest son Abdul Wali, 18, killed in an Israeli strike in Iran.

His father, says that Abdul was working and living in a construction site in north-east Tehran near a military building, when the attack happened on Tuesday.

Though he survived the building collapse, he died a few hours later at a hospital, according to his father.

Abdul was in Iran on a work visa and was the main breadwinner for their family in central Afghanistan.

“I’m injured and can’t work. Abdul wanted to go to university, but he gave up his future, to send money back home,” his father tells us.

He says his son was relying on his managers for advice and they had said the building was safe, given it was a civilian site.

The BBC has not able to verify the details of the incident. Our journalists are unable to report from Iran due restrictions by its government.

But one of Abdul Wali’s relatives sent us a video of the apparent attack, where loud explosions can be heard and men are seen running out of a building amidst smoke and debris. One man is calling out for Abdul Wali, urging him to come outside.

Abdul’s family have accepted they may not be able to return his body home amidst the conflict. “The body is still at the hospital. He may have to be buried in Iran, at least it’s an Islamic country.”

One person told the BBC they are urging their loved ones to come back to Afghanistan, despite their financial struggles, telling them “working in Iran is not worth losing your life”.

WhatsApp groups seen by the BBC are regularly sharing news about the conflict from Afghan outlets, as people inside Iran complain about a lack of information from state media.

Despite internet outages across the country, they are also trying to offer each other comfort and support. As the conflict enters its sixth day, one Afghan in Mashhad, in north-eastern Iran, tells us there is a persistent worry in messages, with people saying: “If this continues, where will we go?”

We have spoken to several Afghans across Iran who have described sleepless nights, watching missiles “fall from the sky”, and the fear the next explosion will be closer than the last.

They are no stranger to hardship nor conflict. Unlike Abdul, most of the Afghans we have spoken to fled after the Taliban seized control of their homeland in 2021. Yet, they are still overwhelmed by what they are witnessing.

We are not using their real names, as they fear doing so would either put their residency in Iran in jeopardy, or risk reprisal from the Taliban government.

“There was a strike just a few kilometres away from our home in Mashhad. It feels like the city has shut down. Any feeling of safety we had has been destroyed,” Fereshteh tells us.

She used to work for an American non-profit that advocated for women’s rights in Afghanistan and fled three years ago. She believes that makes her a known target of the Taliban government, who have imposed increasing restrictions on women’s ability to learn, work, dress and travel.

“It’s a really dangerous situation, but whether we leave Iran or go back to Afghanistan, we’ll still be in danger,” Fereshteh says.

While the Taliban government has previously told the BBC that all Afghans can “live in the country without any fear”, a UN report in 2023 cast doubt on a general amnesty.

Fereshteh is terrified of returning, even if that means staying in Iran while it is under attack. But still, she pleads, saying: “We need help.”

Teenage foreign worker among those killed in strikes in Iran
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Zalmay Khalilzad faces International Legal Action demand from 76 Afghanistan’s Civil and Human Rights Groups

June 18, 2025
Khaama Press

Seventy-six Afghanistan’s civil and human rights organizations have demanded international legal action against Zalmay Khalilzad for his alleged involvement.

In an open letter, 76 Afghanistan’s civil, human rights, and protest organizations called for international accountability and legal proceedings against Zalmay Khalilzad.

The letter accuses Khalilzad of direct involvement in the collapse of Afghanistan’s previous government, whitewashing the Taliban, and facilitating their return to power. The signatories also accuse him of promoting immunity for those responsible for crimes during the conflict.

The letter demands that Khalilzad’s case be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and it includes calls for banning his political and advisory activities concerning Afghanistan. Furthermore, the letter requests investigations into his media and financial networks.

The organizations and movements that signed the letter include those working in human rights, transitional justice, freedom of speech, and civil resistance. The official logos and names of these entities are featured in the document.

The full version of the letter, along with supporting documents, will be shared with international bodies, human rights organizations, and global media in the coming days.

The signatories have stated that their goal is to hold accountable those whom they believe played a role in the fall of the Republic system and the re-establishment of the Taliban.

This letter represents a significant push from civil society to address the role of foreign figures in Afghanistan’s political crisis. The calls for accountability and legal action reflect a growing demand for justice, both for past actions and for the ongoing political struggles facing Afghanistan.

Zalmay Khalilzad faces International Legal Action demand from 76 Afghanistan’s Civil and Human Rights Groups
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Concerns Rise Over Returnee Crisis, Lack of Humanitarian Aid Funding

June 18, 2025
Bibi Amina Hakimi
TOLOnews’ Reporter
18 June 2025

Due to this funding shortfall, some support centers for returnees, such as the Jalalabad center, have scaled back their operations.

Amid increasing pressure on Afghan migrants in neighboring countries, more than two million people have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan over the past two years.

However, with the return of these migrants, concerns have grown over how they will be supported inside Afghanistan. Ahmad Reza Afshar, a deportee from Iran, told TOLOnews: “Afghan migrants who do not have proper documents are considered undocumented there, and they are deported from wherever they are caught. It doesn’t matter to them who the person is.”

Another Afghan citizen deported from Pakistan said: “We even had documents, but they still arrested and deported us. All of our belongings and assets were left behind.”

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has warned that only 20% of the humanitarian programs for Afghanistan in 2025 are funded so far. This situation may expose returnees to new crises such as poverty, homelessness, and social vulnerability.

Due to this funding shortfall, some support centers for returnees, such as the Jalalabad center, have scaled back their operations.

Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said: “Afghans forced to return often had to leave everything behind. They are in urgent need of assistance. Our NRC staff at border crossings witness how returnees arrive empty-handed and often have nowhere to go. By mid-2025, humanitarian partners in Afghanistan will be less than 20% funded. At NRC, we’ve had to reduce support at our community center in Jalalabad. Without increased funding, we cannot meet the growing needs.”

Abdul Nasir Rashtia, an economic affairs analyst, told TOLOnews: “Since Afghanistan’s economy has long depended on foreign aid, any reduction or cut in this aid inevitably leads to serious problems, especially for those returning from abroad. They need food and shelter, and under current sanctions and restrictions, it will be very difficult for the Afghan government to manage this crisis.”

Meanwhile, migrant rights activists warn that without immediate support and sustainable livelihood programs, families returning from other countries will face severe poverty, homelessness, and social harm.

Ali Reza Karimi, a migrant rights activist, said: “Without urgent support and a long-term plan to improve livelihoods, the lives of families forcibly returned from neighboring countries will become even more difficult. The absence of basic aid could significantly increase poverty, unemployment, and vulnerability in Afghan society and among families.”

Earlier, UNHCR reported that between October 2023 and the end of May 2025, more than 1.055 million Afghan citizens had returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan.

Concerns Rise Over Returnee Crisis, Lack of Humanitarian Aid Funding
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Brussels Meeting Calls for Coordinated Support of Afghanistan

June 18, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
18 June 2025

The two-day meeting was attended by representatives from the European Union, other political institutions, and diplomats from several countries.

Participants at a meeting in Brussels stressed the need for a coordinated and sustainable approach to supporting a stable Afghanistan committed to international principles.

The two-day meeting was attended by representatives from the European Union, other political institutions, and diplomats from several countries. The political and social situation in Afghanistan, particularly the conditions of women, was discussed.

In a statement issued by the European Union, one of the participants stated: “Participants stressed the need for a coordinated and inclusive approach that supports a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, anchored in international norms and obligations. Afghan voices—regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion—must shape the path forward. Regional stability is inseparable from Afghanistan’s future.”

The meeting also highlighted the importance of continuing informal and sustainable engagement with the caretaker government of Afghanistan to maintain access to humanitarian aid.

Some political analysts consider consistent coordination and engagement between the international community and the caretaker government essential for addressing Afghanistan’s ongoing challenges.

“Support from the European Union is necessary, and they must cooperate with Afghanistan in all areas. The Afghan government must also create conditions for recognition,” said Gul Mohammaduddin Mohammadi, a political analyst.

“Since around forty million people are directly or indirectly affected by these restrictions and sanctions, the international community and the Islamic Emirate must address this issue seriously and develop a new policy,” said Edris Mohammadi Zazai, another political analyst.

The meeting was held on the 16th and 17th of June in Brussels, with the participation of senior officials from EU institutions, Gulf countries, G7 partners, the United Nations, the World Bank, and some representatives of Afghan civil society.

Brussels Meeting Calls for Coordinated Support of Afghanistan
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Mirziyoyev Concerned By Diminishing Attention to Afghanistan

June 18, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
18 June 2025

The presidents of China and Kyrgyzstan also emphasized the need to boost cooperation with Afghanistan to achieve peace and stability.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the President of Uzbekistan, has expressed concern over the decreasing attention of the international community to the situation in Afghanistan.

At the second “China – Central Asia” summit held in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, he proposed the establishment of a high-level group to address Afghanistan-related issues.

He stated: We are deeply concerned by the international community’s declining attention to the problems facing Afghanistan, a country that is not just our neighbor, but an integral part of our shared historical, cultural and economic space. I believe that China and the Central Asian countries, as Afghanistan’s traditional partners with rich experience of cooperation, have extensive opportunities to support its reconstruction and integration into regional processes.
In this regard, we propose to establish a High-Level Group within our framework to address these issues and to hold its meeting in the border city of Termez with the participation of Afghan representatives.”

The presidents of China and Kyrgyzstan also emphasized the need to boost cooperation with Afghanistan to achieve peace and stability.

Chinese President Xi Jinping stated: “Afghanistan is our close neighbor. We must enhance coordination to help the country increase its development capacity and achieve peace, stability, and reconstruction as soon as possible.”

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov added: “We actively support the efforts of the international community to strengthen peace and stability in Afghanistan, which is a key factor in regional security.”

The interim government of Afghanistan also praised the remarks of the Chinese and Central Asian leaders, calling Afghanistan’s stability beneficial to the region.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “We appreciate their stance and assure all countries that Afghanistan, as an important regional nation, will play its role in regional stability and economic connectivity. It is a fact that Afghanistan’s stability is in the region’s interest.”

Although Central Asian countries, including China, maintain active political and economic relations with the interim government, Uzbekistan has consistently emphasized sustainable engagement and support for Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international community.

Mirziyoyev Concerned By Diminishing Attention to Afghanistan
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UN Concerned By Continued Education Ban in Afghanistan

June 18, 2025
TOLOnews
TV Network
18 June 2025

The issue of girls’ education in Afghanistan has consistently been discussed at global forums.

The United Nations has once again expressed concern over what it describes as gender inequality in Afghanistan, stating that eight out of every ten women in Afghanistan are deprived of education.

The UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said that there is a 76% disparity between the achievements of men and women in various sectors, particularly in education and decision-making.

Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated: “The Afghanistan Gender Index points out that Afghanistan has the second-widest gender gap in the world, with a 76 percent disparity between women’s and men’s outcomes in health, education, financial inclusion, and decision-making. According to the UN Women’s report, nearly eight out of 10 young Afghan women are excluded from education, jobs, and training.”

The issue of girls’ education in Afghanistan has consistently been discussed at global forums.

Additionally, the UN Women section reported that 24% of Afghanistan’s workforce are women, while 89% are men—highlighting a major gender disparity in Afghanistan and one of the largest globally.

Lamia Shirzai, a women’s rights activist, said: “If UN organizations truly wish to resolve Afghan women’s and girls’ issues, instead of publishing reports, they should directly engage with the Taliban to find fundamental solutions.”

Haida, an Afghan girl, said: “I was in the third semester of midwifery when the institutes were closed. Unfortunately, we are now left in limbo—education and all opportunities have been taken away from Afghan girls.”

Student Namira added: “My request of the government is to reopen the doors of schools, universities, and jobs for women so that we can have a bright and good future.”

However, in Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate has called the issue of girls’ education an internal matter and has repeatedly asked organizations and countries worldwide not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs.

UN Concerned By Continued Education Ban in Afghanistan
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25-Year Oil Contract for Amu Darya Cancelled

June 17, 2025
By Fidel Rahmati
Khaama Press

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.

25-Year Oil Contract for Amu Darya Cancelled
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