The Islamic Emirate’s deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry Zia Ahmad Takal has strongly condemned the "recent barbaric attacks by the Zionist regime" in Lebanon, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people, including children and women.

“Failure to respond seriously to the genocide of the Zionist regime in Gaza has made this regime endanger the security of the entire region,” Takal said in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement added: “The international community must quickly take responsible measures to prevent the crimes of the “Zionist regime" in Lebanon and Palestine, especially Gaza, and ensure the security of civilians.”

The head of UN political affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, on Monday warned that the Doha process is at risk given the Islamic Emirate’s increasing restrictive policies.

Addressing a meeting on women’s rights in New York, ahead of the UN General Assembly, she said the Doha process “entails a step-for-step approach” with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), requiring them to, for example, make governance more inclusive, and to respect women’s and girl’s rights.

In exchange, the international community would then incrementally ease restrictions and provide development support.

DiCarlo said the situation has been complicated by the IEA’s new morality law.

“We had Member States willing to engage, willing to go forward with a step-for-step project. However, I think we risk right now of ending this process,” she warned.

“At this point, those who've been participating in our process want to continue, but they really expect the Taliban (IEA) to take part in good faith, and they've got to start abiding by their international obligations.”

She emphasized that “engagement is key”, stressing that “we cannot let Afghan women and men down.”

The general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly opened Tuesday, 24 September, and will continue through Saturday, 28 September, and conclude on Monday, 30 September 2024.

The theme for the general debate of the 79th session of the General Assembly is "Leaving no one behind: acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations".

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday warned that Afghanistan’s new laws "strip Afghan women and girls of their rights and freedoms across the board," and are causing harm to the nation.

Speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Guterres said there was "a deep crisis of gender-based discrimination and oppression" against women in Afghanistan. 

"Afghan women and girls are largely confined to their homes, with no freedom of movement and almost no access to education or work," said the UN chief.

Stating that Afghan women also suffer high rates of violence, honor killings, and rising maternal mortality, he said many feel "unsafe, isolated and powerless."

The UN chief stressed that the oppression of women undermines Afghanistan's development and said: "Extreme gender-based discrimination is not only a systematic abuse of women and girls and a violation of human rights conventions and laws. It is self-harm on a national scale."

He called on Afghan authorities to remove all restrictions against women and girls, reopen schools, and allow women to fully participate in society.

"Without recognizing the rights of one-half of its population, Afghanistan will never take its rightful place on the global stage," Guterres said.

The ruling Islamic Emirate has however repeatedly said that women’s rights are ensured in Afghanistan in accordance with Sharia law.