{"id":4587,"date":"2022-09-27T19:06:23","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T19:06:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/world-must-engage-or-risk-afghanistans-collapse-security-council-hears\/"},"modified":"2022-09-27T19:06:23","modified_gmt":"2022-09-27T19:06:23","slug":"world-must-engage-or-risk-afghanistans-collapse-security-council-hears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=4587","title":{"rendered":"World \u2018must engage\u2019 or risk Afghanistan\u2019s collapse, Security Council hears |"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Despite some positive developments over the past few months, the Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan said they have been \u201ctoo few and too slow and they are outweighed by the negatives<\/strong>\u201d. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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If Taliban continue failing to uphold the rights of all Afghans & to engage constructively with int\u2019l community, #Afghanistan<\/a>\u2019s future is uncertain: fragmentation, isolation, poverty & internal conflict are likely scenarios, UNAMA envoy @PotzelMarkus<\/a> tells Security Council today. pic.twitter.com\/jbl2RSmlYS<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) September 27, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Women\u2019s rights<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

He drew attention to the ongoing ban on girls\u2019 secondary education and growing restrictions on women\u2019s rights, as \u201csignals that the Taliban are indifferent to more than 50 per cent of the population\u201d<\/strong> and are willing to risk international isolation. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe relegation of women and girls to the home not only deprives them of their rights, but Afghanistan as a whole is denied the benefit of the significant contributions that women and girls have to offer,\u201d he detailed. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Terrorism concerns \u2018dismissed\u2019<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Meanwhile, from armed clashes to deadly terrorist attacks, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has monitored a steady rise in security incidents by terrorist groups and others.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur earlier warnings about the capabilities of Islamic State Khorosan Province (ISKP) were dismissed by the Taliban<\/strong>\u201d, he told ambassadors.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut ISKP has demonstrated in the last few months alone that it can carry out assassinations of figures close to the Taliban, attacks against foreign embassies, as well as fire rockets across Afghanistan\u2019s border to attack its neighbours – all while maintaining its long-standing sectarian campaign against Shia Muslims and ethnic minorities,\u201d said Mr. Potzel.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Provincial rights violations<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

And armed clashes are continuing between Taliban security forces and armed opposition groups in the Panjshir, Baghlan, Kapisa, Takhar, and Badakhshan provinces, the UN envoy continued. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are disturbing reports, as well as videos and photos, indicating possible serious human rights violations committed in Panjshir,\u201d he said, calling for an investigation into allegations of extra-judicial killings<\/strong> there. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The mission will continue to carefully monitor these and other reports of serious human rights violations, he added.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

UN bolstering cash economy<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

As per capita income has collapsed to 2007 levels \u2013 erasing 15 years of economic growth \u2013 the country\u2019s economic situation \u201cremains tenuous\u201d (with little detail forthcoming from the Taliban) due in part to Afghanistan\u2019s isolation from the international banking system. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLiquidity remains heavily dependent on the cash that the UN continues to bring in for humanitarian operations<\/strong> \u2013 cash, I must stress, that supports the needs of the Afghan people and does not directly reach the de facto authorities,\u201d said Mr. Potzel. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But even the funding is uncertain as the 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan has only received $1.9 billion out of a $4.4 billion requirement.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

No representation<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Humanitarian and economic measures will not meet the Afghan people\u2019s longer-term needs, and the emergency aid cannot replace essential service delivery systems, such as health and water, or hold off an economic collapse, he warned. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, a continued lack of political inclusivity and transparency in decision-making leave most Afghans without any government representation. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are no consistent mechanisms for citizens to provide feedback to the authorities and little indication that the Taliban wish to even hear any<\/strong>,\u201d the UN envoy said. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

‘We have to engage’<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

While the Taliban\u2019s self-identified emirate has not been recognized by any State, the international community also does not want to see the country collapse, Mr. Potzel stressed. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf the Taliban do not respond to the needs of all elements of Afghan society and constructively engage within the very limited window of opportunity with the international community, it is unclear what would come next,\u201d said the Deputy Special Representative. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFurther fragmentation, isolation, poverty, and internal conflict are among the likely scenarios, leading to potential mass migration and a domestic environment conducive to terrorist organizations, as well as greater misery for the Afghan population.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why we have to engage\u201d<\/strong>, he declared, adding that \u201ccontinued qualified engagement\u201d was the most realistic way of helping the Afghan people.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n