Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration has asserted its commitment to considering religious values and resisting external interference in response to a United Nations (UN) assessment on dealing with the extremist group. The UN Security Council requested an independent assessment from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, outlining a political engagement path to reintegrate Afghanistan after the Taliban assumed power in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces.
The Taliban-led administration views international recognition and a seat at the UN as crucial leverage to advocate for an inclusive government and respect for human rights, particularly women’s rights, in Afghanistan. The UN assessment emphasized that women’s rights, including education, employment, and political representation, are fundamental obligations of the state and vital for long-term development, economic growth, and peace and security.
Authored by Turkish diplomat Feridun Sinirlioglu, the assessment highlighted the need for the participation and leadership of Afghan women in the formal re-integration of Afghanistan into global institutions. However, since the Taliban’s return to power, restrictions on education for girls and university access for women have been imposed, and Afghan female staff at aid agencies have been largely prevented from working. The Taliban’s actions also include closing beauty salons, restricting women’s access to parks, and limiting travel for women without a male guardian.
In response to the assessment, the Taliban-led administration defended its stance, stating it is obligated to consider religious values and national interests, rejecting external interference in internal affairs. The administration claimed progress in securing basic rights for Afghan women since the end of the war, citing the participation of women in various sectors and the allocation of stipends to street beggars, primarily women.
The UN’s recommendation for the appointment of a UN special envoy on Afghanistan was deemed “unacceptable” by the Taliban. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains dire, with two-thirds of the population, or 43 million people, requiring humanitarian aid, according to the United Nations.