Latest News
Envoys voice concern over curbs on Afghan women at talks with IEA in Doha: UN
Meanwhile, US State Department said US envoys participated in the meeting after receiving assurances from the UN that the discussion would meaningfully address human rights, particularly the plight of women and girls, and that there would be opportunities for engagement with Afghan women and civil society.
International envoys raised concerns about restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan during meetings with the Islamic Emirate in Qatar, United Nations' political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo said on Monday.
"Running through all the discussions was the deep international concern - from special envoys and from me - about the ongoing and serious restrictions on women and girls," DiCarlo said in a statement.
"Afghanistan cannot return to the international fold, or fully develop economically and socially, if it is deprived of the contributions and potential of half its population," she added.
The two-day, U.N.-led meeting was the first of its kind attended by the IEA.
Meanwhile, US State Department said US envoys participated in the meeting after receiving assurances from the UN that the discussion would meaningfully address human rights, particularly the plight of women and girls, and that there would be opportunities for engagement with Afghan women and civil society.
US State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said that US envoy Thomas West made clear that the primary reason private banks have reservations about doing more business in Afghanistan is reputational, and that it is rooted in the IEA’s human rights conduct.
“We know that the Taliban (IEA) often complains about sanctions, but given the broad general license issued by the Treasury Department, relief organizations as well as businesses have the leeway they need to support the Afghan people,” he said.
Russian envoy to UN, Vasily Nebenzya, reiterated that the world should recognize the fact that IEA is running Afghanistan.
“Taliban is de facto authorities on Afghanistan, and we've been saying consistently that you have to recognize this fact and deal with them as such. Because whether you like it or not, but this movement is running the country now. And you cannot simply ignore that,” he said.
Envoys have raised concern about women’s rights in Afghanistan, despite IEA saying it is an internal issue.
IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid who led the delegation in Doha, says that women’s rights issue will be resolved with time.
Related stories:
UN keeps identity of Afghan activists at Doha meeting under wraps
Mujahid sums up Doha meeting, says most countries willing to cooperate with Afghanistan
Latest News
Iran appoints new ambassador to Afghanistan
Ali Reza Begdeli, Iran's former deputy foreign minister for consular affairs, has been appointed as the country's new ambassador to Kabul, Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.
The outlet added that the post of the Iranian presidential special representative in Afghanistan has been removed and, as before, the special representative for Afghanistan will act directly under the supervision of the foreign minister.
It is worth mentioning that Hassan Kazemi Qomi previously served as Iran's ambassador and presidential special representative in Afghanistan.
Latest News
Iran to Host ECO Ministerial Meeting next week
The 28th meeting of the foreign ministers of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) member states will be held in Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad next week.
Spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry Esmaeil Baqaei said on Sunday that the upcoming meeting will be attended by the ministers and senior officials of ECO, directors of the regional specialized departments of the organization, and the secretaries general of a number of multilateral economic organizations.
The meeting will be chaired by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Iranian local media reported.
Iran is holding the rotating presidency of ECO in 2024.
The Tehran-headquartered ECO was established by Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey in 1985.
The main purpose of the organization is to promote economic, technical, and cultural cooperation among the member states.
In 1992, the organization was expanded to include seven new members, namely Afghanistan, Republic of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
Latest News
Daesh claims responsibility for Baghlan attack
A provincial police official, said that several people were arrested in connection with the incident, and that an investigation has been launched.
The Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), also known as Daesh, has claimed responsibility for a gun attack that left 10 people dead at a Sufi shrine in northern Baghlan province.
The interior ministry spokesman Abdul Matin Qani confirmed that a gunman opened fire on Sufis taking part in a weekly ritual at the Sayed Pasha Agha shrine in a remote area of Nahrin district.
Abdul Ghayoor Khadim, a provincial police official, said that several people were arrested in connection with the incident, and that an investigation has been launched.
-
Latest News5 days ago
Tajikistan trumps Afghanistan 3-1 in football friendly
-
Latest News4 days ago
EU marks International Children’s Day, says it supports Afghan children
-
Latest News5 days ago
Afghanistan wants relations with countries not opposed to Sharia law: Haqqani
-
Sport3 days ago
Ariana News to broadcast IPL auction live and exclusively in Afghanistan
-
Latest News2 days ago
U.S. House approves bill on evacuation of Afghan allies
-
World3 days ago
US vetoes UN Security Council resolution on Gaza ceasefire
-
Regional3 days ago
Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan gets bail in state gifts case, his party says
-
Latest News5 days ago
IEA implements ‘significant reforms’ in Afghanistan’s education curriculum