UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, believes that the people of Afghanistan have the right to a peaceful and harmonious future.
He believes that the de facto authorities, the Taliban, have an obligation to ensure that right of Afghans is realized.
UN Spokesperson, Stephanie Dujarric, at a news conference on Tuesday in New York, said the secretary general stated this while commenting on two years anniversary of the Taliban taking over power.
He also briefed journalists on the comments of other top UN officials.
“The secretary-general believes that the people of Afghanistan have the right to a peaceful and harmonious future and that the de facto authorities, the Taliban, have an obligation to ensure that this right is realised.
“The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, noted that these two years have upturned the lives of Afghan women and girls, their rights and their futures.
“She stressed that we can’t forget the people of Afghanistan, and that we must amplify their voices in the fight for their rights to education and work.’’
Also on Afghanistan, he said Sima Bahous, the head of UN Women, issued a statement in which she pointed out that through over 50 edicts, orders and restrictions, the Taliban have left no aspect of women’s lives untouched, no freedom spared.
She called on all actors to join in supporting Afghan women in every way, elevating their priorities, voices and recommendations, funding services they desperately need and receive the support they need.
Bahous underscored UN Women’s unwavering and unshakeable commitment to the nation’s women and girls.
She said the agency’s work there is anchored on its fundamental relationships with women, who have described how these “misguided, cruel and ultimately self-defeating” measures have affected their lives.
“Despite these challenges, Afghan women also tell me that they will not give up or give in.
“They will continue to lead the struggle against their oppression,” she said.
“In the face of the most hostile of circumstances, they speak out against the violations, deliver lifesaving services, own and operate businesses, and run women’s organizations.
“Their bravery must inspire us to greater action, their example to renewed determination.”
Bahous appealed for greater support to Afghan women – from elevating their voices, priorities and recommendations, to funding the services they need, and supporting their businesses and organizations.
“I urge the international community to continue to apply every pressure and employ every means at their disposal to press for change, including by answering the call of the humanitarian community and fully funding the humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan,” she said.
On his part, the spokesperson said Volker Türk, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, reminded the de facto authorities that Afghanistan, as a State, had an obligation under international law to respect, uphold and promote the human rights of all people without discrimination.
UN human rights staff continue to work in Afghanistan monitoring, documenting and advocating across a range of human rights issues, including fundamental freedoms, the protection of civilians in armed conflict and the rights of detainees.
