Millions of people in Afghanistan are dependent on humanitarian aid. But the Taliban have banned women from working for aid organizations. UN chief Guterres sharply condemned the repression at a conference.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres found clear words at the end of the meeting in Doha. He condemned the Taliban’s ban on Afghan women working for the United Nations and international aid organizations. This is unacceptable and endangers human life.
“I want to make it very clear that we will never remain silent in the face of unprecedented systematic attacks on the rights of women and girls,” said the UN Secretary-General. “We will always raise our voice when millions of women and girls are silenced and erased from the scene. This is a gross violation of basic human rights.”
Consultations behind closed doors
Since taking power two years ago, the Taliban have systematically excluded women and girls from public life. Guterres said the aim of the two-day meeting in Doha was to find a common international approach to dealing with the Taliban.
It was not about a possible recognition of the de facto government of the Taliban. Guterres had invited representatives from around 20 countries and international organizations to the consultations behind closed doors.
Participants agreed that a strategy of engagement that would enable Afghanistan’s stabilization but also address important concerns was needed, Gueterrs said. “The participants are concerned about the stability of Afghanistan and have expressed these serious concerns.”
Taliban were excluded from the meeting
Apparently, Guterres deliberately did not invite the Taliban to the consultations. A spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan criticized this as discriminatory and unjustified. During the press conference, a journalist asked under what conditions the UN Secretary-General would meet the Taliban.
Guterres answered evasively. “Of course, when the time is right, I won’t turn down the opportunity – today is not the right time.” Afghanistan is currently experiencing the largest humanitarian crisis in the world. According to UN estimates, two thirds of the people depend on humanitarian aid for their survival.
Guterres emphasized that the task now for the United Nations is to maintain its commitment in Afghanistan. You have to learn lessons from the past. He announced that there should be another meeting in the future.