Status: 08/30/2021 10:09 p.m.
The UN Security Council was unable to agree on a “safe zone” in Kabul. Nevertheless, the body is trying to increase the pressure on the Taliban. In a resolution, the Islamists call on Afghans to leave the country.
The takeover of power by the militant Islamist Taliban also preoccupied the most powerful UN body: the Security Council called on the Taliban to allow Afghans to leave their homeland unhindered. A corresponding resolution was passed with 13 votes in favor, Russia and China abstained.
Christiane Meier, ARD New York, on the UN Security Council’s Afghanistan resolution
tagesschau24 9:30 p.m., 8/30/2021
In the resolution, the Security Council refers to the Taliban’s pledges on Friday that Afghans are free to leave the country at any time and by any means possible. The Security Council “expects the Taliban to honor these and all other commitments,” it says. The resolution, which was presented by Great Britain and France together with the USA and Ireland, also demands that Afghanistan should not become a haven for terrorists and their attack plans.
The need for unhindered humanitarian access and respect for human rights, in particular “the rights of women, children and minorities”, is also emphasized. On the other hand, the Security Council did not decide to create a “safe zone” in Kabul previously demanded by France.
Not a blockade, but a breakthrough
UN resolutions are binding under international law – therefore, according to experts, they could send a signal to the Taliban that the airport must be kept open in order to allow UN aid deliveries into the country.
In most of the major crises in recent years, the permanent members – especially the USA, China and Russia – have often been at odds and blocked common solutions. In this case, the veto powers Russia and China had openly shown themselves to be in favor of an agreement and ultimately ensured one of the rare breakthroughs in the Security Council with their abstentions.
During the course of the day, the representatives of the five veto powers were to meet with UN Secretary General António Guterres to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. The meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. New York time. Delegates, however, dampened hopes for potential results – it was more about an exchange between the UN chief and the permanent representatives.