US, India urge IEA to respect human rights

The United States and India on Friday called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and members of minority groups, and uphold freedom of travel.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met their Indian counterparts for the fifth annual 2+2 ministerial dialogue in New Delhi.

According to a joint statement released by the US State Department, the ministers called on the IEA to adhere to their commitment to prevent any group or individual from using the territory of Afghanistan to threaten the security of any country.

They noted UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021), which demands that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter or train terrorists, or to plan or finance terrorist attacks. 

The ministers urged the IEA to respect the human rights of all Afghans, including women, children, and members of minority groups; and uphold freedom of travel. 

They also emphasized unhindered access to deliver humanitarian assistance and recommitted to having consultations on Afghanistan to help facilitate an inclusive and peaceful future for all Afghans.

This comes as the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly claimed that it is committed to ensuring human rights. It has also said that it will not allow Afghanistan’s soil to be used against the security of any other country.