UN Calls Out Taliban: A Push for Women’s Rights in Afghanistan

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution Monday over US objections calling on Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to reverse their worsening oppression of women and girls and eliminate all terrorist organizations.

The 11-page resolution also emphasizes “the importance of creating opportunities for economic recovery, development and prosperity in Afghanistan,” and urges donors to address the country’s dire humanitarian and economic crisis.

While not legally binding, the resolution is viewed as a reflection of global opinion. The vote tally showed 116 in favor, with only the United States and its close ally Israel opposing, and 12 abstentions, including Russia, China, India, and Iran.

Since reclaiming power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed draconian measures, banning women from public spaces and girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Notably, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban’s government.

Prior to the vote, Germany’s UN Ambassador Antje Leendertse, whose country sponsored the resolution, expressed grave concern about the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan. She particularly highlighted the Taliban’s “near-total erasure” of women’s and girls’ rights.

Leendertse emphasized that the resolution’s core message is to assure Afghan mothers – those holding sick and malnourished children, mourning victims of terrorist attacks, and the millions confined at home – that they have not been forgotten by the international community.

US minister-counselor Jonathan Shrier criticized the resolution, arguing that it rewards “the Taliban’s failure with more engagement and more resources.” He expressed doubt that the Taliban would ever pursue policies aligned with international expectations.

“For decades, we’ve shouldered the burden of supporting the Afghan people with time, money, and most importantly, American lives,” Shrier stated. “It’s time for the Taliban to step up. The US will no longer enable their heinous behavior.”

Last month, the US administration imposed a ban on Afghans seeking permanent resettlement in the country and those looking for temporary entry, with some exceptions.

The resolution commends governments hosting Afghan refugees, particularly Iran and Pakistan, which have taken in the most. Shrier objected to this acknowledgment, accusing Iran of executing Afghans “at an alarming rate without due process” and forcibly conscripting them into its militias.

While noting improvements in Afghanistan’s overall security situation, the resolution reiterates concerns about attacks by al-Qaida, Islamic State militants, and their affiliates. It calls on Afghanistan to take active measures to tackle, dismantle, and eliminate all terrorist organizations equally and without discrimination.

The General Assembly also encouraged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a coordinator to facilitate “a more coherent, coordinated and structured approach” to international engagements on Afghanistan.