UNSC Resolution addresses Key Concerns on Afghanistan

On 30th August, 2021, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2593 related to the current scenario in Afghanistan. The resolution addresses key concerns on Afghanistan.

Adoption of the Resolution

• The resolution - sponsored by the UK, France and the US - was adopted with 13 members, including India, voting in its favour.
• Russia and China, two of the permanent members of the UNSC, abstained.

Key Highlights of the Resolution

• Taliban to keep its commitments on preventing terror groups in Afghanistan and assist in the safe evacuations of all Afghan nationals wishing to leave the country.
• Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country or to shelter and train terrorists and plan or finance terrorist attacks. The resolution specifically mentions individuals designated by the UNSC resolution 1267 (1999), which includes the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
• Taliban to allow humanitarians to access the country, uphold human rights, including for women and children and inclusive and negotiated political settlement.
• Taliban to allow full, safe and unhindered access to the United Nations and other agencies to provide humanitarian assistance.
• The resolution did not, however, spell out any provision to punish the Taliban if they failed to allow such departures or follow the commitments.

Objections from China and Russia

• Russia: Russia abstained saying that the resolution wasn’t specific enough about terror threats, did not speak of the “brain drain” effect of evacuating Afghans and did not address the economic and humanitarian consequences of US freezing the Afghan government’s US accounts.
• China: China said that the current chaos was a direct consequence of Western countries’ “disorderly withdrawal.”

Significance

• The adoption of the resolution is a strong signal from the Security Council and the international community on its expectations in respect of Afghanistan.
• It will ensure that the vulnerable groups such as women, children and minorities are adequately safeguarded and there is ample provision of humanitarian aid.