UN Security Council to review Afghanistan situation

The United Nations has announced that the Security Council will hold a meeting on Friday, June 21, to discuss the situation in Afghanistan.

Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), will provide an update at the session on the current state of affairs in the country.

This review comes shortly after Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur, released a report highlighting what he called the pervasive and severe violence against women in Afghanistan.

Bennett’s report states that the “systematic oppression of women and girls by the Taliban (Islamic Emirate)” could amount to “crimes against humanity.”

Bennett also urged the UN not to treat the Islamic Emirate as a recognized government in Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate said Wednesday Bennett’s report on the violation of women’s rights in Afghanistan was groundless and that it was an attempt to negatively influence people ahead of this month’s Doha meeting.

In response to these claims, the IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that certain people from the United Nations continuously present a false image of Afghanistan.

Mujahid emphasized that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan did however appreciate the support of some UN-member countries.

The IEA has also repeatedly said in the past that women’s rights are ensured in accordance with Sharia law.

The third Doha meeting, hosted by the United Nations, is scheduled for June 30 and July 1. This meeting will include special representatives from various countries focusing on Afghanistan.

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