The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Monday calling on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to swiftly reverse their crackdown on women and to combat militant groups inside Afghanistan that Pakistan accuses of carrying out cross-border attacks. According to reports from Associated Press, the resolution extends the UN political mission in Afghanistan until June 17, 2027, and authorises it to support humanitarian aid deliveries 'without discrimination' and to promote national and local governance 'without any discrimination based on sex, religion or ethnicity, with the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women,... minorities, youth and persons with disabilities'. China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong, whose country sponsored the resolution, said the hope is that the Afghan government will 'take more proactive measures to protect human rights, especially the rights of women, and project an image of openness, inclusivity and responsibility.'
The resolution's adoption follows the arrest of at least 30 women in the western city of Herat this month for allegedly violating the Taliban's strict dress code. As reported by Associated Press, a rare protest sparked by these arrests was violently dispersed by Taliban police, who shot and killed one person and injured several others, according to the UN mission known as UNAMA. The Taliban have run Afghanistan since 2021 in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of US-led forces and have imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, including draconian restrictions on women and girls, such as bans on education beyond primary school and on many jobs. Minorities have also been impacted under this strict Shariah interpretation.
US deputy ambassador Jennifer Locetta emphasized that 'For that political process to succeed, the Taliban must act.' According to Associated Press, she stated that 'The Taliban must meet their counterterrorism commitments, respect Afghanistan's international obligations, end hostage diplomacy, and cease their unconscionable abuses of the human rights of women and girls.' Pakistan's UN Ambassador Asim Ahmad said the 'resolution expresses the council's serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, which continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security.' The new resolution also authorizes UNAMA to facilitate talks between the Taliban and regional countries and the wider international community.
The new resolution addresses regional security tensions, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harbouring militants who carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, which the Taliban denies. As reported by Associated Press, hundreds of people have been killed in fighting between the two countries since February, when Afghanistan attacked Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. The Taliban have denied these allegations and maintain that Pakistan is supporting anti-Taliban forces.
The resolution also authorises UNAMA to advance Afghanistan's economic development, including by facilitating commercial and financial activity and supporting efforts to return assets belonging to the Central Bank 'for the benefit of the Afghan people.' According to Associated Press, this economic component aims to support Afghanistan's long-term stability and development amid ongoing political and security challenges.
