23.06.2025 Statement by Denmark at the UNSC Briefing on the Situation in Afghanistan

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Madam President,

I also thank Special Representative Otunbayeva, Assistant-Secretary-General Msuya, and UN Women Executive Director Bahous for their briefings.

Allow me to focus on three areas.

First, the Taliban’s repressive policies continue to undermine and deny the people of Afghanistan their basic human rights. Policies that affect every aspect of human life – from playing chess to singing. Nothing seems too small for the Taliban regime to control. This is of course particularly true for women and girls.

Restrictive laws, such as the Virtue and Vice law, seek not only to constrain, but to erase women and girls from Afghan society, gravely impacting their fundamental freedoms and society as a whole.

As we have heard this morning, the ban on access to secondary and higher education has entered its fourth year, meaning that four full grades of girls have had interrupted something that we all in this Chamber – and countries around the world – take for granted: Going to school and learning even after the age of 12. This is generational damage, as Executive Director Bahous stated.

Denmark resolutely condemns these restrictive policies. They serve only to institutionalise an extreme system of sexual and gender-based discrimination and persecution.

The Taliban-controlled judicial system not only restricts Afghans’ access to justice and protection, but further cements its system of discrimination and oppression.

We call on the Taliban to immediately rescind all discriminatory policies and uphold Afghanistan’s obligations under international law, including CEDAW and Security Council resolutions.

Second, Madam President,

As ASG Msuya has made painfully clear this morning, these policies are taking place against the backdrop of a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Even after the UN’s hyper-prioritisation exercise, 12.5 million people still require urgent assistance, with nearly 15 million at emergency levels of food insecurity and malnutrition.

Yet despite these mounting needs, cuts in funding are forcing aid agencies to scale back programmes. From food assistance, to healthcare and protection services for women and children, it is the most vulnerable who continue to suffer first and most.

We call on the international community to scale-up funding for the Humanitarian Response Plan which, as we heard, remains drastically underfunded.

For those organisations working to help the Afghan people, the Taliban’s diversion of vital aid further hinders their work, putting more lives at risk.

300 humanitarian access-related incidents from January to April alone is simply unacceptable.

We call on the Taliban to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to those in need, and abide by the obligations of Afghanistan under international law.

Finally, Madam President, on the political front.

Denmark supports the Doha-process and welcomes the UN’s efforts to develop a political roadmap.

Women’s meaningful and safe participation in all diplomatic efforts is imperative. For UN-facilitated processes, this should go without saying. We encourage the broadening of these processes to ensure the participation of Afghanistan’s vibrant and active civil society and individuals of diverse ethnic, religious, and gender backgrounds.

The Doha-process should remain firmly anchored in the recommendations of the UN Special Coordinator through a conditions-based step-for-step approach. Any normalisation of engagement with the Taliban must be based on demonstrated, measurable, and independently verified improvements in human rights, especially for women and girls. 

Denmark reaffirms our support for the important work undertaken by UNAMA. Under difficult circumstances, this mission continues to deliver on its mandate.

In closing,

As stated in the Secretary General’s report, the Taliban is purposely implementing policies that are negatively impacting the economic, social and personal lives of the Afghan population. That any government would want to do this is beyond comprehension.  Let me underscore Denmark’s steadfast commitment to the rights and aspirations of the people of Afghanistan. We will continue to support their efforts to achieve the inclusive, just, and prosperous future they deserve.

Thank you.