Photos of some UN security personnel in front of a Taliban flag drew criticism.
United Nations:
The United Nations has apologized for a “significant lapse in judgement” as photographs emerged of some of its personnel posing in front of Taliban flags during a visit to Afghanistan by Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed in the war-torn country. Got it. Expressed concern over the violation of rights of genuine officers and women.
Ms. Mohammed, the highest-ranking woman at the United Nations, completed a four-day visit to Afghanistan on Friday, accompanied by Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, and Khalid Khyari, Assistant Secretary-General in the Department for Political, Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. ,
During the visit, the delegation met with Taliban leaders in Kabul and Kandahar and expressed its concern over the recent restrictions on the education and work of women and girls across the country.
However, photographs of some UN security personnel posing in front of a Taliban flag while Ms Mohammad was meeting with the group’s leaders drew criticism.
“That photo should never have been taken. It clearly shows a significant lapse in judgment. It was a mistake and we apologize for it. And in light of that, I believe the supervisors of these officers spoke to him about it,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters here on Friday when questioned about the visit and the photographs.
Haque said the picture was taken when the deputy secretary-general was meeting with real leaders in Afghanistan. He said that his security had taken him to that meeting and was waiting next door.
In a post on Twitter, Ali Maisam Nazri, head of foreign relations for the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, said, “The photographing of a terrorist group’s flag by @UN personnel in Kabul calls into question the impartiality and integrity of the UN.” brings in.”
“We kindly ask @antonioguterres to investigate this matter and @UNAMAnews to stop such insensitive actions that can tarnish its reputation,” Najri said in reference to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Nazari also posted two photos of UN personnel standing in front of Taliban flags.
Leading a high-level UN delegation on behalf of the Secretary-General, Ms. Mohammad expressed concern over the Taliban’s recent decree banning women from working for national and international NGOs, the UN Said undermines the work of many organizations that help millions of vulnerable Afghans.
Ms. Mohammad said, “My message was very clear: while we recognize the important exemptions, these restrictions present Afghan women and girls with a future that confines them to their own homes, denying them their rights. violates and deprives communities of their services.”
“Our collective ambition is for a prosperous Afghanistan that is at peace with itself and its neighbors, and on a path of sustainable development. But right now, Afghanistan finds itself isolated in the midst of a terrible humanitarian crisis and one of the most vulnerable countries on Earth to climate change,” she said.
“We must do everything possible to bridge this gap.”
Taliban issues order to close universities for female students across the country until further notice, bar girls from attending secondary school, restrict women and girls’ freedom of movement, exclude women from most sectors of the workforce and banned women from using parks, gyms and public bathrooms.
Ms. Mohammad and Ms. Bahous also met with affected communities, humanitarian workers, civil society and other key actors in Kabul, Kandahar and Herat.
“What is happening in Afghanistan is a serious crisis of women’s rights and a wake-up call to the international community. It shows how decades of progress on women’s rights can be reversed in a matter of days,” Ms. Bahous said, expressing UN Women’s solidarity with Afghan women and girls and demanding all their rights again. Vow to continue amplifying their voices to achieve this.
“We have witnessed extraordinary resilience. Afghan women have left us in no doubt with their courage and refusal to be erased from public life. They will continue to advocate and fight for their rights, and we are obligated to support them in doing so.” are,” Ms. Bahaus said.
In a press release issued here, the UN said it and its partners, including national and international non-governmental organizations, are helping the more than 25 million Afghans who depend on humanitarian aid to survive, and and committed to delivery.
The United Nations said recent decrees by the Taliban banning women from working for NGOs have forced many partners to halt work that can no longer be delivered safely and meaningfully.
The UN said that although the recent relaxation of the ban initiated by the de facto authorities is opening space for humanitarians to continue – and in some cases resume – operations, these are limited to certain areas and activities.
“The effective delivery of humanitarian aid is based on principles that require full, safe and unhindered access for all aid workers, including women,” Ms. Mohamed said.
The visit of top UN leaders to Afghanistan followed a series of high-level consultations on Afghanistan in the Gulf and Asia. The delegation met under the leadership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Islamic Development Bank, the Afghan Women’s Group in Ankara and Islamabad, and a group of ambassadors and special envoys to Afghanistan in Doha.
The delegation spoke with government leaders and religious leaders of the region to advocate for the important role and full participation of women and rally support for the Afghan people, the release said.
It said that during all visits, countries and partners recognized the important role of the United Nations in building bridges to find lasting solutions, as well as in providing life-saving assistance and effective support, led by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Recognized the urgency of maintaining engagement.
He said efforts should be intensified to reflect the urgency of the situation and stressed the importance of a unified response by the international community. Constantly highlighted the need for a revitalized and realistic political path and sticking to all basic principles, including the rights of women and girls to education, work and public life in Afghanistan.
There was broad agreement that the leadership of the region and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was important on these issues. A proposal for an international conference on women and girls in the Muslim world to be held during the month of March 2023 was also considered and agreed in principle, the release said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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