UK should restore diplomatic presence to help Afghan women, says aid chief

 

Diplomatic editor

The Guardian

Wed 10 Jul 2024

Hugh Bayley, who visited Kabul in May, said he believed Afghan women and NGOs would welcome more western diplomats to represent the opinions of women to the Taliban as he released a report by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) on the effectiveness of the UK programme, which is the second largest operated by Britain.

The UK pulled all diplomatic representation out of Afghanistan as the Taliban took over in 2021, and since then Afghan bank assets held overseas have been frozen, and the economy has nosedived. Yet as much as $2.9bn (£2.3bn) of aid has been sent to the country, largely to NGOs rather than to Taliban-directed ministries.

No state recognises the Taliban as the Afghan government, although countries including Russia, China, Iran, Turkey and India have opened diplomatic missions in Kabul.

Bayley said the benefits of a British presence had been put to him by NGOs, on top of the regular visits to Kabul from the UK mission in Doha.

“The UK’s £150m programme in Afghanistan is currently our second biggest bilateral programme anywhere in the world, second after Ukraine, and ICAI’s view is that if you are dispensing that amount of British taxpayer’s money, you need eyes on the ground to see how it has been spent,” he said.

“If western countries don’t have a presence on the ground and don’t engage with both Afghan civil society and the Taliban, then the western aid funded approach will achieve less,” he said, pointing out that although the UK government has a target for 50% of its aid to reach women, “it is impossible in the case of Afghanistan without a presence on the ground to know if the target is being met”.

Bayley added that he had been told the absence of diplomatic missions made it harder for international NGOs because they were identified as the voices of the western world. A senior UN official had told him: “If we do not engage with Afghan citizens including the Taliban we will burn one bridge after another.”

He said although women were genuinely beneficiaries of aid, Afghanistan could be “heading for a catastrophe since gender restrictions imposed by the Taliban means the number of trained midwives is rapidly declining, storing up trouble in the future.

“Multiple power struggles are going on between the Taliban, Afghan citizens and especially women. Women in local NGOs are actively and bravely resisting pushing back against the Taliban in meetings, and it was clear that despite the effort to marginalise women, some are still going to work, including midwives that say to men, “If you want babies to die, stop me from going to work.’”

Bayley also said he heard that many hospital counsellors were reporting deep distress bordering on the suicidal among girls of school age, who the Taliban had removed from education. “I was told these women of secondary school age are in the depths of despair,” he said.

He said he had been told women found it more difficult to access food aid because they cannot use public transport and taxis were expensive.

“You’re bound to have an emotional reaction to the intense cruelty and marginalisation of women and girls,” Bayley said, but at the same time he hailed the “tremendous courage” with which so many were resisting. He also praised the UK for diverting a lot of its reduced Afghan aid budget to NGOs.

More broadly he urged the world not to allow Afghanistan to become a forgotten humanitarian crisis, or for aid to become exclusively humanitarian. “Over the next two to five years we have to transition to development, humanitarian assistance without development is not sustainable,” Bayley said.

The numbers in Afghanistan classified as in humanitarian need had dropped to 23.7 million last year, down from 28.3 million. This was partly due to an improved harvest and the appreciation of the local currency.

But Bayley said UN humanitarian aid appeals for Afghanistan were not being backed. The 2024 UN humanitarian needs overview for the county, released last December, appeals for $3.06bn. Less than a quarter (23%) of this has been funded as of 9 May this year.

The ICAI aid report said Afghanistan’s mean annual temperature had increased by almost twice the global average since 1951. It added that climate-crisis models predicted future temperatures would continue to rise faster than the global average. Annual droughts are predicted to become the norm in many parts of the country by 2030.

“It’s necessary for the international community to move beyond a crisis response to a response that builds capacity and resilience within Afghanistan,” Bayley said. “Unless these problems are addressed, the humanitarian crisis is going to continue for years and decades, and the plight of ordinary Afghan people will get worse and worse.”

UK should restore diplomatic presence to help Afghan women, says aid chief
read more

Pakistan will consider expelling hundreds of thousands more Afghans in a continued clampdown

BY  MUNIR AHMED

Associated Press

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan will consider a plan to expel hundreds of thousands more Afghans who have been living in the country for years, the foreign ministry said Thursday, the latest in a monthslong government clampdown on undocumented migrants.

The plan is still in the works, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told reporters — and the government may ultimately reject it.

It would mark the “second phase” of the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” and it would involve persons who had been given identification documents known as “Afghan citizen cards” to legalize their stay in Pakistan for a limited time.

“At this stage, I do not have a date to share with you,” she said at a weekly news briefing in the capital, Islamabad, adding that an announcement about the action would be made “at an appropriate time.”

Pakistan’s crackdown on undocumented migrants has drawn sweeping criticism from the United Nations, aid agencies and human rights groups.

Since the deportations started, an estimated 600,000 Afghans have gone back to Afghanistan. After forcing thousands back daily, the deportations slowed down and appeared to halt in recent months.

On Wednesday, following a visit by the U.N. refugee agency chief, Filippo Grandi, Islamabad announced it has extended the stay of 1.45 million Afghan refugees residing in the country.

During his visit, Grandi welcomed what he described as the Pakistan government ’s suspension of the deportations.

However, Baloch denied that was the case and said there has been no suspension in the anti-migrant crackdown that targets those without valid papers. The deportations only involve those in Pakistan illegally — and they are being carried out in a “humane manner,” Baloch said.

She insisted Afghan refugees living here need not worry as their stay has now been expended.

Amnesty International said Thursday it welcomed Islamabad’s decision to extend one-year stays. Thyagi Ruwanpathirana, the group’s regional researcher for South Asia, urged Pakistan to “extend this lifeline to all Afghan refugees in Pakistan.”

She also urged Pakistan to formally suspend the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” and top all forcible returns of Afghans in the country.

Pakistan has long hosted an estimated 1.7 million Afghans, most of whom fled during the 1979-1989 Soviet occupation of their country. More than half a million others escaped Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021, with thousands waiting in Pakistan for resettlement in the United States and elsewhere.

Baloch also urged the international community to expedite the process for the relocation of thousands of Afghans who fled the Taliban takeover, most of who are still in Pakistan, she said.

These Afghans have been desperately waiting for their visa applications to be processed so they could leave for the United States, Canada, United Kington, Germany, Australia, Italy and several other countries.

The delay in the resettlement has left these Afghans in a vulnerable position, contending with economic hardship and lack of access to health, education and other services in Pakistan.

Baloch’s remarks appeared to catch Afghanistan’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation off guard.

Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, a spokesperson with the refugee ministry, said they had heard through official channels that the deportations have stopped. He said no Afghan refugees have been forcibly deported from Pakistan — whether they had proper papers or not — and that there were no reports of arrests in the neighboring country in the past 24 hours.

Haqqani appealed on the Islamabad government to give Afghans enough time to leave Pakistan in an orderly fashion and that there be no forced deportations.

“Our second request is for our Afghan brothers to return to their country voluntarily,” he said. “Now there is peace in the country … the refugees should return to their country.”

Pakistan will consider expelling hundreds of thousands more Afghans in a continued clampdown
read more

OCHA appeals for urgent funding to address Afghanistan’s worsening economic crisis

Khaama Press
July 12, 2024

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned about Afghanistan’s worsening economic crisis.

According to OCHA, critical services like healthcare, shelter, food, and education are threatened due to severe funding shortages.

In a statement released on Wednesday, OCHA highlighted that six million people could lose access to essential health services without adequate funds.

Additionally, 4.5 million individuals may be deprived of protective services, further exacerbating the humanitarian situation.

OCHA’s concerns extend to nearly five million children at heightened risk of infectious diseases due to inadequate access to clean water.

The organization emphasized that 300,000 children currently enrolled in educational programs may lose their opportunity for primary education.

Earlier assessments by OCHA revealed that following the Taliban’s assumption of power, over 23.7 million Afghans, which constitute more than half the population, require urgent humanitarian assistance.

To address these urgent needs, OCHA has appealed for $3 billion to support humanitarian efforts across Afghanistan.

The situation remains critical, with OCHA stressing the immediate necessity of sufficient funding to prevent further deterioration in the lives of millions of vulnerable Afghans.

OCHA appeals for urgent funding to address Afghanistan’s worsening economic crisis
read more

Shia protesters in Herat march in response to Taliban restrictions

Khaama Press

Groups of Shia protesters in Herat marched through the city’s 12th, 9th, and 13th districts, waving Ashura flags and chanting “Labbaik Ya Hussain” as they expressed their religious devotion and voiced dissent against recent statements made by the Taliban.

Caravans of Shia protesters in Herat marched through the city’s 12th, 9th, and 13th districts, waving flags of Ashura and chanting “Labbaik Ya Hussain.”

This protest movement was sparked by statements from Ahmadullah Muttaqi, the Taliban’s cultural chief, who deemed Ashura a “bid’ah” (innovation).

Earlier, Ahmadullah Muttaqi, Taliban’s head of information and culture, on Wednesday, labelled Ashura ceremonies as “bid’ah” during a meeting with local officials and Shia representatives, emphasizing the need to combat “political and foreign innovation-bid’ahs.”

The protestors in Herat expressed their “disgust” towards Muttaqi’s remarks with the midnight protests on Thursday, July 11.

Shia protesters in midnight-Herat, Afghanistan.

With the arrival of the Islamic month of Muharram and the days of Ashura, the Taliban launched a widespread campaign in various cities, including  Kabul and Herat, to remove Shia religious symbols such as mourning flags.

Recently, the Taliban have taken down Ashura flags from Jibrail district and other Shia-populated areas of Herat.

Taliban intelligence reportedly detained seven protesters on Wednesday who had protested against the Taliban’s obstruction of Ashura ceremonies.

Some residents of Herat suggest that tensions between Ashura mourners and local Taliban authorities have escalated, resulting in a heightened military presence in the city. These residents fear potential clashes between the populace and Taliban forces due to the Taliban’s interference in mourning ceremonies.

Meanwhile, the situation in Herat remains tense as Shia protesters continue to demonstrate against Taliban restrictions on religious observances, particularly during the holy month of Muharram and the commemoration of Ashura.

The crackdown on Ashura symbols by Taliban forces has exacerbated tensions, raising concerns about potential confrontations between civilians and Taliban authorities in the city.

Shia protesters in Herat march in response to Taliban restrictions
read more

US President Biden: No one can unite Afghanistan

Khaama Press
In his recent speech, President Joe Biden of the United States unequivocally opposed America’s “occupation” of Afghanistan. He stressed that after the killing of Osama bin Laden, the U.S. should have withdrawn from Afghanistan, arguing that no entity could effectively unify the country.

Biden added, “I’ve traveled throughout Afghanistan, from poppy fields to the north of that country.”

Mr. Biden cautioned Israel against repeating the “mistake” that America made in Afghanistan in Gaza. He stated, “After Hamas attacked Israel, I went to Israel and told Israeli officials, including Benjamin Netanyahu and his war cabinet: Don’t make the mistake we made in Afghanistan after Osama bin Laden. You don’t have to occupy the place. You need to go after the folks who were harmed. Even though you may get criticized for it.”

Meanwhile, Biden said that I won’t step aside from electoral competition.

Despite calls from some within his party to step aside from candidacy in the elections, President Joe Biden defended his decision during a press conference. Facing numerous questions about elections and global issues during the Thursday press briefing, he emphasized, “I am determined to continue in the competition, but I think it’s important that I dispel fears by allowing my record to speak for itself.”

In addition, President Biden’s statements underscore his firm stance against prolonged military engagements and his commitment to navigating electoral challenges head-on. His remarks reflect a strategic approach to international relations while addressing domestic concerns, emphasizing the importance of national security and leadership continuity.

US President Biden: No one can unite Afghanistan
read more

Amnesty Intl Comments on UNAMA Report Criticizing Vice and Virtue Ministry

Political analysts and women’s rights activists have various views on the publication of the UNAMA report and Amnesty International’s statement.

Amnesty International said that the report from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) highlights the role of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue of the Islamic Emirate in human rights violations and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan.

Amnesty International has also called on the United Nations to establish an independent international accountability mechanism to investigate crimes under international law and other serious violations in Afghanistan.

In a statement, Amnesty International wrote: “They must also ensure that gender justice is prioritized, and the involvement of women human rights defenders and civil society stakeholders remains central in all engagements with the Taliban on the future of Afghanistan. To fail to do so would be to turn our backs on the victims and their rights to truth, justice and reparation.”

Zaman Sultani, regional researcher for South Asia at Amnesty International, told TOLOnews: “What the so-called Ministry of Vice and Virtue of the Taliban is doing is widespread and systematic human rights violations.”

Earlier, in response to the UNAMA report, the Islamic Emirate said that the reporters of this institution are trying to examine Afghanistan from a Western perspective, which is not correct.

Abdul Ghafar Farooq, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, has also previously dismissed the claims made in the UNAMA report, stating that the Sharia rights of women and men in the country are upheld and everyone is treated according to Sharia.

Abdul Ghafar Farooq said: “With the rule of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan, the Sharia rights of all citizens, both men and women, are upheld, and everyone is treated according to Sharia.”

Additionally, Mohammad Sadiq Akif, a member of the Islamic Emirate, in a TOLOnews program in response to the UNAMA report on the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, added that the rights of all individuals in society are upheld according to Sharia, and the Islamic Emirate is obliged to implement Sharia rulings, not the demands of the world.

Mohammad Sadiq Akif said: “We are bound to Sharia. We are not bound to their [the world] demands that they impose on us. They should pay attention to themselves.”

At the same time, some political analysts and women’s rights activists have various views on the publication of the UNAMA report and Amnesty International’s statement.

“We do not want the world to stand by us in mere slogans, but to the extent that we see at least one result for the people of Afghanistan, especially women,” said Tafsir Siyahposh, a women’s rights activist.

“The esteemed Ministry of Vice and Virtue should clearly state its position regarding this report through a press conference and should explain and clarify its stance,” said Fazl Rahman Oria, a political analyst.

This comes as UNAMA, in a report, criticized the activities of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, adding that this ministry has violated some of the rights of Afghan citizens.

Amnesty Intl Comments on UNAMA Report Criticizing Vice and Virtue Ministry
read more

haheen: Sanctions on Islamic Emirate Officials Should Be Lifted

12 July 2024

Head of the political office of the Islamic Emirate in Qatar told TOLOnews that the sanctions have not been effective and should be lifted as soon as possible.

Suhail Shaheen, head of the political office of the Islamic Emirate in Qatar, has called for the lifting of UN Security Council sanctions on the officials of the Islamic Emirate following the imposition of these sanctions.

The head of the political office of the Islamic Emirate in Qatar told TOLOnews that the sanctions have not been effective and should be lifted as soon as possible.

Shaheen told TOLOnews: “All these restrictions that hinder interaction between the international community and the Islamic Emirate must be lifted to pave the way for positive interaction.”

Recently, the UN sanctions monitoring team said that 61 senior “Taliban” officials are on the global sanctions list, of which 35 are members of the cabinet and leadership of the Islamic Emirate.

The list includes senior officials of the Islamic Emirate, including Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate; Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, deputy prime minister for economic affairs; Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs; Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, political deputy of the Prime Minister; Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Foreign Minister; Sirajuddin Haqqani, Acting Interior Minister; Abdul Haq Wasiq, Director of the General Directorate of Intelligence; and several other members of the Islamic Emirate.

Moreover, some political analysts believe that the imposition of these sanctions will negatively affect the relationship between the Islamic Emirate and the international community.

“The imposition of sanctions on senior members of the Islamic Emirate creates a lack of coordination between Afghanistan and the United Nations, and the more these sanctions persist, the greater the distance between Afghanistan and the UN General Assembly,” Jannat Faheem Chakari, a political analyst, told TOLOnews.

“In this case, we need to see what reforms should be introduced in Afghanistan to release these individuals from sanctions, which would also benefit Afghanistan’s economy,” said Tariq Farhadi, an analyst.

Earlier, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews that the names of 24 Islamic Emirate officials are still on the UN and EU blacklist. Mujahid described the failure to remove the names of Islamic Emirate officials from the blacklist as contrary to the Doha agreement.

haheen: Sanctions on Islamic Emirate Officials Should Be Lifted
read more

Pakistan Emphasizes Implementation of IFRP

 

Baloch also said that the fundamental basis of the UNHCR’s statement should be asked.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s foreign ministry, speaking at a press briefing said that Pakistan has not given any indication to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that the Illegal Foreign Nationals Return Program (IFRP) has been suspended or will not be implemented in the future.

The spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “Pakistan has not given any indication to the UNHCR that IFRP has been suspended or will no longer be implemented. What is the basis of the statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees may be sought from their Spokesperson.”

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch further said that Pakistan has the right to enforce its laws on individuals residing in the country in violation of its immigration laws.

She said: “Just like any other country, Pakistan has the sovereign right to implement its laws with regards to individuals who are present in Pakistan in violation of our immigration laws. The laws of Pakistan are clear. Those individuals can face fines, they can be imprisoned, and they can be deported, as per their particular case. At this stage, no decision has been taken regarding initiation of the second phase.”

This comes after Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, visited Pakistan on a three-day visit and met with Afghan refugees. During his visit, he also met and talked with Pakistani officials about focusing on sustainable solutions and support for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Following the visit of Grandi to Pakistan, UNHCR announced the suspension of the forced deportation process of Afghan citizens from the country.

Earlier, some Pakistani media reported that the country would extend the residency cards of registered Afghan immigrants, or POR cards, until June 30, 2025.

Pakistan Emphasizes Implementation of IFRP
read more

Pakistan Government to convene session on extending Afghan migrant’s PoR cards

Khaama Press

Pakistani media have reported that the government is convening a session regarding the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ request to extend Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for Afghan migrants.

In a report released on Wednesday, July 10th, Dawn newspaper cites a government official stating that Afghan migrants’ residency cards may likely be extended for six to twelve months.

This session comes as Pakistan had earlier halted the expulsion of Afghan migrants, following an announcement by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) after the conclusion of a three-day visit by Filippo Grandi, the agency’s High Commissioner to Islamabad.

During his visit, Grandi urged Pakistani authorities to show hospitality towards Afghan migrants.

The UNHCR High Commissioner, who arrived in Pakistan earlier this week, continued discussions with senior Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, concerning Afghan migrants.

He emphasized the timely extension of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, essential identity documents held by over 1.3 million Afghan refugees.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is addressing the fate of Afghan migrants amid discussions prompted by the UNHCR’s advocacy for their hospitality and the extension of critical identification documents.

Pakistan Government to convene session on extending Afghan migrant’s PoR cards
read more

UN warns of budget shortfall for humanitarian activities in Afghanistan

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) states that the agency faces a shortage of funds to carry out humanitarian activities.

In its latest report released on Wednesday, July 10th, OCHA notes that sectors at high risk of disruption due to severe budget shortages include health care, shelter, food, education, and protection.

It adds that without timely assistance, humanitarian crises in Afghanistan will worsen.

According to OCHA’s report, poverty in Afghanistan has increased since August 15, 2021.

These warnings come amidst reduced and discontinued aid efforts, while Pakistan and Iran have been deporting over two thousand Afghan migrants daily, exacerbating the country’s humanitarian needs.

In response to these challenges, OCHA urges the international community to mobilize resources urgently to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

The organization emphasizes the critical need for sustained support to provide essential services and protection to vulnerable populations, ensuring their basic needs are met amid ongoing crises.

Furthermore, OCHA calls for renewed efforts to address the root causes of displacement and instability in Afghanistan, advocating for long-term solutions that prioritize human rights, stability, and sustainable development in the region.

The agency underscores the importance of international solidarity and cooperation to mitigate the impact of crises and build resilience among affected communities, fostering a path towards lasting peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and the broader region.

UN warns of budget shortfall for humanitarian activities in Afghanistan
read more