Nasseer Ahmad Faiq, Acting Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, Urges Taliban to Respect the Wishes of the People and the International Community.

In his speech, Mr. Faiq expressed deep concern about the widespread human rights violations in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. He emphasized the need for an end to the Taliban’s repressive policies and for the government to respect the will of the people.

“The meeting is being held in the context of Afghanistan’s collapsing economy, with millions being forced to flee the country,” Mr. Faiq said in his address. He also highlighted that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is critical, with 23.7 million people in urgent need of assistance, according to aid organizations.

Faiq warned the United Nations Security Council about the severe consequences of reducing funding for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan. He stressed that these funds need to be increased to address the growing crisis in the country.

Meanwhile, Rosemary DiCarlo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Head of UNAMA, also expressed concerns at the Security Council regarding the human rights, economic, and security situation in Afghanistan.

The international community, especially the United Nations, must take immediate action to address the worsening humanitarian crisis and human rights violations in Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s failure to respect the rights and wishes of the Afghan people continues to undermine any prospects for peace and stability in the region. Without increased support for humanitarian efforts and concrete action to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a hub for terrorism, the country’s future remains uncertain.

The international community must remain committed to providing aid and pressure the Taliban to respect human rights and ensure a better future for all Afghans.

Kazakh Media Reports CSTO Meeting on Afghanistan’s Security and Political Situation Held in Moscow

Kazakh media outlets recently reported that a meeting on the military-political situation in Afghanistan was held in Moscow by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

According to the reports, the meeting was chaired by Talgat Kaliev, the special representative of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The discussions focused on the continued instability in Afghanistan, especially the rise of extremist groups like ISIS. Delegates emphasized the need for a united response from the CSTO countries to address these security challenges and prevent further destabilization in the region.

Meanwhile, Russian news agency Interfax reported that the Russian Parliament (Duma) recently passed a draft law allowing the government to remove the Taliban from the list of banned organizations.

The bill would give the Russian government the legal authority to remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist groups, provided the group meets certain conditions. This change follows the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan and raises questions about Russia’s approach to engaging with the group diplomatically, despite its previous designation as a terrorist organization in 2003.

The move has sparked debate, especially considering the rise of ISIS in Afghanistan and Central Asia’s heightened security concerns.

Central Asian countries, particularly Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan have expressed growing concerns over the spread of ISIS and other terrorist organizations in Afghanistan. The region is on high alert, fearing that the security vacuum left by the Taliban’s takeover could lead to an increase in cross-border militant activities.

The increasing presence of ISIS in Afghanistan poses a significant threat not only to Afghanistan’s stability but also to the broader Central Asian region.

ISIS’s growing influence in Afghanistan is a major concern for Central Asian states, many of which share long borders with Afghanistan. The international community and regional powers are under pressure to address this threat, with cooperation and intelligence-sharing becoming essential to prevent the further spread of terrorism.

The ISIS-Khorasan branch has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of the Taliban in Kabul.

On the night of Wednesday, December 11, the group issued a statement on their Telegram channel, acknowledging their role in the attack on Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, the Taliban’s Minister of Refugees.

The ISIS-Khorasan statement also mentioned that, in addition to Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, several other individuals were killed in the attack.

Earlier, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson for the Taliban, had responded to the assassination of Haqqani by stating that he was killed in an attack by the “Khawarij.”

The term “Khawarij” is commonly used by the Taliban to refer to ISIS.

According to the reports, four individuals were killed, including Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani, and four others were injured in the explosion.

The United States had placed a $5 million reward for information leading to the capture or death of Khalil-ur-Rahman Haqqani.

The deadly attack on the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees highlights the ongoing violence and factionalism in Afghanistan. The ISIS-Khorasan group’s claim of responsibility reflects the continuing power struggle between different extremist groups operating in the country.

This attack also underscores the persistent insecurity in Afghanistan, even as the Taliban tries to consolidate its control. International efforts to stabilize the country remain complicated by these internal conflicts and terrorist activities.