Checked Against Delivery
Thank you, Mr. President,
Let me also thank deputy SRSG Gagnon, and Ms. Nargis Nehan for their important briefings.
We meet at a critical moment for Afghanistan.
Last month marked five years since the Taliban seized power. And just days ago, we marked 25 years since the terrorist attacks of 11 September.
Both anniversaries carry important lessons for this Council. They remind us why Afghanistan remains a matter of which the Council is seized – and why sustained international attention remains essential.
I will focus on three points.
First,
Across Afghanistan, human rights and fundamental freedoms remain severely restricted. Civic space continues to shrink, while journalists, civil society and human rights defenders face growing pressure.
For women and girls, the situation is particularly grave.
The Taliban pursues a deliberate policy of gender-based segregation, thus systematically excluding women and girls from public life and imposing sweeping restrictions on virtually every aspect of their lives – from education and employment to freedom of movement and participation in society.
These restrictions are reinforced by an increasingly repressive and institutional framework, further denying women and girls access to justice, protection and essential services.
The consequences of the Taliban’s systematic discrimination and repression are not only devastating for the lives, dignity and opportunities of Afghan women and girls. They also undermine Afghanistan’s social and economic development, stability and prospects for lasting peace and international reintegration.
The international community has been clear in its response. In a joint statement delivered by Denmark last month on behalf of 57 countries, we called for an end to the systematic discrimination of women and girls and for the rights and dignity of all Afghans to be upheld.
We reiterate that those calls firmly today.
Second, Mr. President,
The ability of the United Nations and humanitarian actors to operate effectively and without undue hindrances must always be safeguarded.
As we have heard, September marks one year since Afghan female UN personnel were prevented from accessing UN premises across the country.
This is completely unacceptable. It is contrary to international law and it directly undermines the ability of the UN to fulfil its mandate.
This is particularly concerning amid a continuous and severe humanitarian crisis, fuelled by exclusion, by discrimination and by a basic lack of respect for human rights.
Nearly 22 million Afghans require humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile large-scale returns from neighbouring countries are placing further pressure on already vulnerable communities, where needs by far outstrip available resources.
The full participation of Afghan women is critical to an effective and principled humanitarian response.
We call on the Taliban to urgently reverse all restrictions on UN and humanitarian personnel and to allow them to carry out their work safely and without discrimination or interference.
Third, Mr. President,
Afghanistan continues to face significant security threats, including from terrorist groups operating from within its territory.
The continued presence and activity of terrorist groups such as TTP, Al-Qaeda and ISIL-K remains a serious concern for Afghanistan, its neighbours and international peace and security.
As we recently commemorated the victims of September 11, we recall that Afghanistan must never again become a safe haven for terrorism.
We call on the Taliban to take concrete, sustained and verifiable action against all terrorist groups operating in or from Afghanistan.
In closing Mr. President,
International engagement must remain principled and focused on tangible outcomes for the Afghan people.
The Doha Process has an important role to play. But progress towards greater international integration must go hand in hand with significant improvements on human rights, on inclusive governance, counter-terrorism and Afghanistan’s international obligations.
UNAMA remains an indispensable part of this effort.
And Denmark warmly welcomes the newly appointed SRSG, Ms. Rabab Fatima. We look forward to working closely with her as she takes forward this important mandate.
Thank you.
