The resolution also pointed to persistent violence in the country since the Taliban took over 15 months ago and the presence of terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda and Islamic State and their affiliates, as well as the presence of “foreign terrorist fighters”. Germany’s UN ambassador Antje Leendertse hoped the 193-member General Assembly would approve the German-facilitated resolution by consensus. However, a vote was called and it was approved 116-0, with 10 abstentions — Russia, China, Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Sixty-seven countries did not vote. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but reflect world opinion. The adoption came on the same day that the Taliban, who already banned girls from middle and high school, barred women from using gyms and parks. Before the vote, Leendertse told the assembly that since the Taliban came to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has seen “a massive economic contraction and humanitarian crisis” that has left half the population facing “critical levels of food insecurity of insecurity”. “We are expecting a harsh winter and levels of need not seen in decades with little prospect of economic recovery and poverty reduction,” he warned. Introducing the resolution, Leendertse told the assembly that the Taliban control the country but are not living up to their responsibilities to meet the needs of the Afghan people. “The resolution is a clarion call to respect, protect and fulfill human rights, develop inclusive governance and fight terrorism,” he said. “It contains a clear message that without it, there can be no business as usual and no path to recognition.” The story continues The resolution pledges continued UN support to the Afghan people “to rebuild a stable, secure and economically self-sufficient state, free from terrorism, narcotics, transnational organized crime, including human trafficking and corruption, and to strengthen the foundations of a constitutional democracy as a responsible member of the international community”. It calls for improved access for aid workers and recognizes the need to help address Afghanistan’s economic challenges, including efforts to restore the banking and financial systems and enable Central Bank assets — located primarily in the United States — to be used to help Afghanistan People. The resolution expresses deep concern about human rights violations against women and girls, including sexual violence, and calls on the Taliban to promote the “full, equal, meaningful and secure participation of women in all aspects of Afghan society.” It condemns all attacks, reprisals and violence against journalists and media workers and calls for their perpetrators to be brought to justice. The resolution reaffirms the assembly’s expectation that the Taliban will honor their commitments to allow the safe departure of all Afghans and foreign nationals who want to leave the country.
