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No recognition of IEA until women’s rights and constitution issues are addressed: UN envoy
“We are trying to establish a process and preserve an important mechanism of consultation. We must be realistic about how much each meeting in this process can deliver, especially at this early stage where confidence and trust are insufficient,” she said.
The United Nations envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, said on Friday Afghans broadly agree that it is important for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to attend the upcoming Doha format meeting, but that there should also be no recognition of IEA until the issues of women’s rights, girls’ education, and an acceptable constitution were broadly addressed.
Addressing the Security Council in New York, Otunbayeva said that Afghans expect that the restrictions on women’s rights will be forcefully addressed in the upcoming meeting, but noted that expectations cannot realistically be met in a single meeting.
“We are trying to establish a process and preserve an important mechanism of consultation. We must be realistic about how much each meeting in this process can deliver, especially at this early stage where confidence and trust are insufficient,” she said.
The envoy said that engagement has led to some flexibility by IEA. “It has at the very least led to greater understanding and trust-building on all sides,” she said.
US deputy envoy Robert Wood said that the international community must insist on reversing IEA restrictions on women and girls.
“We must ensure that women and civil society participants have a voice in Doha at the UN-hosted meeting of Special Envoys coming up in a few weeks. Their concerns must be highlighted in all deliberations on Afghanistan’s future,” he said.
The envoy noted that the UN has an important role to play in Afghanistan’s re-integration into the international system.
UK Political Counsellor Fergus Eckersley also called for the IEA to reverse all policies restricting human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan.
Noting that the 2024 Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan is only 20 percent funded, he urged the international community to increase their support. He said that the UK is on track to deliver over $190 million in aid this year.
The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly emphasized that it is committed to ensuring the Shariah rights of women and girls, and that countries should not interfere in this matter.
The third Doha meeting on Afghanistan is scheduled to be held on June 30. The Islamic Emirate, which did not attend the previous meetings, has announced that it will participate in the upcoming meeting.
Zakir Jalali, Director of the Third Political Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, said on Friday that the discussions of the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan will focus on private sector, financial, banking, counter-narcotics and alternative livelihood issues.
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G7 envoys urge national dialogue for lasting stability in Afghanistan
Special Representatives of the Group of Seven (G7), including the European Union, have emphasized the importance of a national dialogue for achieving long-term stability in Afghanistan.
Following a meeting on Afghanistan in Geneva, Switzerland, G7 special envoys issued a joint statement calling for the restoration of women's rights and urging the Islamic Emirate to fight terrorism.
The statement reads: "Achieving sustainable peace and stability requires credible governance that represents all segments of Afghan society."
The representatives also expressed concern over the IEA’s decision to ban girls from attending medical institutes, warning that it will have devastating consequences for the citizens, particularly mothers and their infants.
The statement described this ban as unacceptable and called on the Afghan authorities to lift it immediately.
Earlier, countries and international organizations had called for the removal of restrictions on the education and employment of women and girls, emphasizing the need for a national dialogue.
In response to these concerns, IEA has repeatedly stated that it will not allow interference in the internal affairs of the country.
The G7 special envoys also expressed their concern about the recent terrorist attacks in Kabul and the surrounding region, warning that terrorism remains a serious threat to Afghanistan's security. They confirmed the actions of the IEA against Daesh but stressed the need for more decisive measures.
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Afghanistan’s bright future lies in educating girls: Karzai
Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, says the demand of Afghan girls for the reopening of schools and universities is their fundamental right and adds that Afghanistan cannot have a bright future without ensuring access to education for girls.
In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Karzai said: "The demand and voice of our country’s girls for education and knowledge is a rightful one and crucial for a prosperous Afghanistan."
He further emphasized, "Empowering the youth—both girls and boys—is the only way to achieve self-reliance, break the cycle of poverty, and drive the development and prosperity of society."
Karzai underscored that education is vital for Afghanistan’s growth and development, expressing hope that the doors of schools and universities for girls will be reopened as soon as possible.
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IEA to set up special courts to address pensions
Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), has issued a decree to establish special courts to address pensions, Bakhtar news agency reported on Saturday.
According to the decree, the courts must confirm and process pensions in accordance with Sharia and law.
Pensioners have repeatedly voiced concern over delay in payment, saying that their financial challenges are growing.
Earlier this year, IEA's supreme leader banned money being deducted from salaries of government employees for pensions.
He also requested information on the tenure of employees and the total amount deducted from salaries for pensions.
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