Engage & Utilise Taliban's Willingness to Interact, Says UN Envoy

Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, called for greater international community engagement with the Taliban at the UN Security Council meeting.

However, she noted that the Taliban's approach to women's and girls' rights might prolong the existing impasse over the international community's engagement with the group.

At a meeting held on Wednesday to review the reports of the UN special representatives for Afghanistan, Otunbayeva stated that dialogue does not legitimise the Taliban, but can be used to express opposition and, at the same time, encourage the Taliban to change.

The UN Secretary-General's representative stressed on the need for a lasting international understanding on Afghanistan. She expressed hope that this understanding would emerge at the next meeting of special representatives for Afghanistan. She said that the Taliban's willingness to engage with countries around the world should be more effectively utilised.

Welcoming the report by Feridun Sinirlioglu, the Special Coordinator of the UN Secretary-General, praised it for providing necessary clarity on several issues. She added that the report presents a way for Afghanistan to integrate into the international system "without another cycle of violence and in accordance with international laws”.

She said, "Although there is something in this report that not everyone likes, I have asked everyone to focus on the larger goal."

Otunbayeva did not specify what these issues are.

Widespread Human Rights Violations

Otunbayeva identified the Taliban's lack of progress in addressing human rights issues as a major factor in the current deadlock in relations between the international community and the group.

Otunbayeva emphasised that adherence to and striving to maintain international standards and norms are non-negotiable conditions for Afghanistan's representation in the United Nations.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General said, "Key characteristics of the current human rights situation in Afghanistan are indicative of systematic discrimination against women and girls, suppression of political opponents and freedom of speech, lack of meaningful representation of minorities (in government bodies), and extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture, and maltreatment."

She added that despite the recent release of two female activists, several human rights defenders and media workers remain detained by the Taliban.

Ban on Girls' Education

The UN Special Envoy stated that the ban on girls' education and the worsening quality and access to education also affect boys' education in Afghanistan.

In the Security Council meeting on alternative education proposed by the Taliban for girls, Otunbayeva said that she had obtained ample evidence that "girls of all ages" can study in religious schools.

However, she stated it is unclear what is being taught in these schools. Otunbayeva raised questions about the existence of a "standard curriculum" in these schools that would allow modern subjects to be taught and how many girls can study in these schools.

She said that according to reports she has obtained, the Taliban's Ministry of Education is assessing these schools and also reviewing the curriculum of public schools.

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General mentioned that Taliban education officials also told her that they are working on creating conditions for girls to return to school. However, Otunbayeva noted that time is passing while a generation of girls falls behind in education.

She said, "Failure to develop a modern curriculum with equal access for girls and boys makes it impossible for the Taliban to achieve economic self-sufficiency."

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General stated that many Afghans have told her they fear being forgotten, as has happened in the past. Otunbayeva said that her role and that of UNAMA is to prevent this from happening.

Terrorist Group Threats

The Secretary-General's representative at the Security Council meeting said that the Taliban have generally been successful in providing security. However, she pointed to the increase in attacks against Hazaras and Shias, who, she said, continue to be targeted.

In her speech, she referred to the killing of 39 Hazara and Shia people in three recent attacks documented in the latest report of the UN Secretary-General. She said that the ISIS has claimed responsibility for all these attacks.

Otunbayeva also said that countries in the region are deeply concerned about further potential threats originating from within Afghanistan.

She mentioned that Pakistan has concluded that the Taliban have been lax in curbing the Pakistani Taliban, which has claimed responsibility for recent terrorist attacks within Pakistan.

Concerns About Humanitarian Situation

Otunbayeva described the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as worrying. She said that more than 20 million people will be reliant on international community aid in the upcoming winter.

Otunbayeva added that with a reduced budget this year and expanded aid distribution, many needy Afghans will be more vulnerable than last year.

Rejection of UN Special Peace Envoy

The UN Secretary-General's representative also said that the Taliban considers the appointment of a Special Peace Envoy unacceptable. She stated that the Taliban's Foreign Minister justified this stance by saying that the long history of UN special representatives in Afghanistan has not been positive.