UN Urges Taliban to Open Diplomatic Channels Amid New Morality Law Concerns
Kabul, Afghanistan – Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to ongoing engagement with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban-led interim government. Dujarric made these remarks during a press conference on Saturday.
Dujarric stated, “In terms of the contacts with the de facto authorities, I mean, we will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban. And we’ve always done so following our mandate and I would say impartially and in good faith, always upholding the norms of the UN, pushing the messages of human rights and equality.” He also urged the interim government to open more avenues for diplomatic engagement.
The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had expressed deep concern on August 25 regarding the new morality law imposed by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities. This law imposes restrictions on personal conduct and provides morality police with broad powers of enforcement.
Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMA, said, “UNAMA is concerned by the promulgation by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities of a morality law which imposes wide-ranging and far-reaching restrictions on personal conduct and provides morality police with broad powers of enforcement.” She emphasized that the law imposes intolerable restrictions on the rights of Afghan women and girls.
Otunbayeva added, “After decades of war and in the midst of a terrible humanitarian crisis, the Afghan people deserve much better than being threatened or jailed if they happen to be late for prayers, glance at a member of the opposite sex who is not a family member, or possess a photo of a loved one.”
Doubts Revealed
UN -: The UN stands for the United Nations. It is an international organization that works to promote peace, security, and cooperation among countries.
Taliban -: The Taliban is a group in Afghanistan that took control of the country. They have strict rules and beliefs, especially about how people should behave.
Diplomatic Channels -: Diplomatic channels are ways for countries or groups to talk and solve problems without fighting. It involves discussions and negotiations.
Morality Law -: A morality law is a set of rules about how people should behave according to certain beliefs. In this case, it affects what people, especially women and girls, can do in Afghanistan.
Stephane Dujarric -: Stephane Dujarric is a person who speaks for the UN Secretary-General. He shares important information and updates from the UN.
UN Secretary-General -: The UN Secretary-General is the leader of the United Nations. This person helps guide the UN’s work around the world.
Stakeholders -: Stakeholders are people or groups who have an interest in a situation or decision. In this case, it includes everyone affected by what happens in Afghanistan.
Interim Government -: An interim government is a temporary government set up until a permanent one is established. The Taliban is currently leading Afghanistan’s interim government.
UNAMA -: UNAMA stands for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. It helps with peace and development in Afghanistan.
Roza Otunbayeva -: Roza Otunbayeva is the head of UNAMA. She works to help Afghanistan through the United Nations.
