RASC News Agency: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed profound concern over the Taliban’s egregious violations of women’s rights, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and the export of terrorism from Afghanistan. Guterres condemned the regime’s suppression of women, describing it as the “most appalling characteristic” of the Taliban. He further announced plans for an upcoming emergency session on Afghanistan, which will focus on “gross human rights violations, particularly against women,” calling this the “most horrifying facet of Taliban rule.”
The Taliban has issued over 70 decrees curtailing the rights and freedoms of women, with the latest blow coming through the enactment of the “Amr bil Ma’ruf and Nahi Anil Munkar” ( Propagation of Virtue and prevention of vice) law. During the recent UN Security Council meeting, all nations, except for China and Russia staunch allies of the Taliban condemned this law. In his press conference, Guterres highlighted the UN’s concerns regarding ongoing human rights abuses and the systemic discrimination against ethnic minorities in Afghanistan. “We are gravely alarmed by the extensive violations of human rights and are deeply disturbed by the persecution and marginalization of ethnic groups under Afghanistan’s current authoritarian regime,” he said.
Guterres also expressed worry over the Taliban’s support for terrorist organizations within Afghanistan, warning that these groups could expand their influence into other countries. At the Wednesday Security Council session, numerous nations, including Russia, voiced concerns over the increasing presence and activities of al-Qaeda and ISIS in Afghanistan. The Russian representative acknowledged that despite the Taliban’s efforts to combat ISIS, the group has continued to carry out attacks abroad. Guterres underscored that while the UN is committed to improving the situation in Afghanistan, progress remains challenging, as the Taliban regime, under present circumstances, is unwilling to engage in meaningful cooperation.
