09.03.2026 Statement for UNSC Briefing on the situation in Afghanistan

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Thank you, Mr. President,

And i thank the Deputy SRSG for her briefing and commend UNAMA and all UN personnel for their continued service under challenging conditions.
 

Yesterday, the international community marked International Women’s Day, reaffirming our collective commitment to gender equality and human rights. In Afghanistan, however, that commitment remains painfully out of reach.  

Allow me to raise three points.

First,

Denmark remains gravely concerned by the appalling human rights situation in Afghanistan. When the Taliban seized power in 2021, many feared a rollback in rights. Few could have imagined the scale, speed and systematic repression that has followed, especially for women and girls.

The recent criminal procedures directive represents another step by the Taliban to entrench this trajectory. It reinforces discrimination, enables violence against women and children and further restricts freedom of expression.

This morning, we marked the opening of the 70^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, under the theme of ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls. This could not be more urgent in Afghanistan where a woman might face 3 months in prison for visiting her family without permission, while a man who breaks her bones risks only 15 days behind bars.

This is not justice. It is codified discrimination and a clear violation of Afghanistan’s international obligations. We must not allow such a systematic erosion of rights to become normalised. The rights of Afghan women and girls are universal and non-negotiable.

Denmark demands that the Taliban immediately reverse this directive and other restrictive measures, including the ban on women’s access to medical education.

We also urge the Taliban to lift the ban on Afghan female UN staff without delay. The UN cannot serve the Afghan people effectively while its female staff are barred from their workplaces.

Second, Mr President,

Afghanistan remains in the grip of a profound humanitarian crisis. Widespread food insecurity and alarming levels of child malnutrition persist.

Climate-driven drought and water scarcity are worsening shortages and deepening vulnerabilities - especially for women and children. At the same time, women and girls continue to face significant barriers in accessing essential services, including healthcare and nutrition. Broader regional tensions raise further concern for civilian protection, displacement, and humanitarian access. The Taliban must ensure safe, sustained, and unhindered access for humanitarian workers across the country, including by guaranteeing the full, equal and meaningful participation of women.

We also stress the need to scale up support to the Humanitarian Response Plan for Afghanistan, which, as we heard, remains significantly underfunded. Top of Form

Third, Mr. President,

The recent escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan is deeply worrying.

Afghan territory must never be used to threaten or attack any country.

We underline the importance of effective and sustained action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan, including ISIL-K and TTP. Rather than providing cover, the Taliban must live up to its public promise to combat terrorist elements.

The increase in cross-border attacks and reported strikes risk further destabilising an already fragile region.

Denmark echoes the Secretary-General in calling for an immediate cessation of violence and for all parties to exercise restraint and pursue de-escalation through dialogue.

All parties must fully respect their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure at all times.

In closing, Mr. President,

Denmark supports an integrated and principled international approach to Afghanistan. The Doha Process continues to provide an important framework for engagement, but it must remain anchored in clear principles and Afghanistan’s human rights obligations.

As we approach the renewal of UNAMA’s mandate, let me reiterate Denmark’s strong support for the mission. In a context of deepening human rights violations, humanitarian crisis and regional tensions, UNAMA remains indispensable.

Denmark stands ready to work with all Council members to secure a strong UNAMA mandate and to support the Afghan people in their pursuit of dignity, human rights and lasting peace.