UN Security Council Adopts Resolution for Special Envoy on Afghanistan

• 04 Jan 2024

Recently, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), responding to an independent assessment report from November 2022, adopted a resolution urging the appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan. This decision aims to enhance international engagement with the country, particularly with its Taliban leadership, which regained power in August 2021.

Key Points

• Independent Assessment's Influence: The resolution stems from the recommendations of an independent assessment report, emphasizing the necessity for increased interaction with Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban's return to power.
• Special Envoy Appointment: U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is tasked with appointing a special envoy to champion the independent report's suggestions, with a specific focus on gender and human rights issues.
• Vote Outcome: The resolution garnered approval from 13 Security Council members, while Russia and China opted to abstain from the vote.
• UAE and Japan's Role: The United Arab Emirates and Japan, designated as penholders on the Afghanistan issue, actively supported the resolution, citing the independent assessment as a crucial foundation for future discussions.
• Coherent International Engagement: The resolution underscores the imperative to enhance international engagement in a more coherent, coordinated, and structured manner, aligning with the findings of the independent assessment.
• Taliban's Official Status: The Taliban government lacks official recognition globally, and the United Nations officially refers to it as the "Taliban de facto authorities."
• Evolving Taliban Policies: Initially pledging a milder form of Islamic rule, the Taliban has reintroduced stringent measures, particularly impacting women's rights, including bans on teenage girls attending secondary schools and women accessing universities.
• Global Outcry: The restrictive measures imposed by the Taliban, such as the ban on women entering various public spaces, have sparked global outrage and led to protests in Afghan cities.
• US Support for the Resolution: The United States strongly endorses the resolution's call for a U.N. special envoy for Afghanistan, emphasizing the envoy's role in coordinating international engagement with relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders.