UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has appealed to UN Security Council and the international community to work and act together to suppress the global terrorist threat in Afghanistan.
Guterres made the call on Monday at the UN headquarters, New York, while briefing the Security Council on the crisis in Afghanistan.
He appealed to the Council to stand as one, and ensure that human rights were upheld, humanitarian aid continued, and that the country would not again become a platform for terrorism.
“The following days will be pivotal. The world is watching. We cannot and must not abandon the people of Afghanistan,” said the UN chief.
The secretary-general noted that the international community was following the developments in Afghanistan “with a heavy heart and deep disquiet about what lies ahead.”
After seizing large swaths of territory in recent months, the Taliban on Sunday took control of the capital, Kabul, home to some six million people.
President Ashraf Ghani has fled the country, according to media reports, and desperate residents have been scrambling to the airport to get flights out.
“At this grave hour, I urge all parties, especially the Taliban, to exercise utmost restraint to protect lives and to ensure that humanitarian needs can be met,” Guterres said.
Afghanistan’s UN ambassador, Ghulam saczai, spoke of the fear that had gripped Kabul; people displaced from other provinces had flocked to the capital, viewed as the last refuge in the country.
“Kabul residents are reporting that Taliban have already started house to house searches in some neighborhoods in Kabul, registering names and looking for people in their target list.
“There are already reports of target killings and looting in the city,” Isaczai said.
The secretary-general highlighted the need to protect civilians and allow humanitarian access. He urged nations to show willingness to receive Afghan refugees, and to halt any deportations.
“Now is the time to stand as one,” he said.
The UN chief called for the international community to “speak with one voice” to uphold human rights, and voiced particular concern over mounting violations against women and girls.
The secretary-general underlined UN’s commitment to supporting Afghanistan. Staff and offices remain in areas that have come under Taliban control, and most personnel and premises have been respected, he reported.
As roughly half of all Afghans, or some 18 million people, depend on humanitarian aid, it is essential that basic services continue to be provided, he added.
“In a statement issued on Sunday, the Taliban said they would work with existing institutions.
“It is crucial that civil servants’ salaries continue to be paid, infrastructure is maintained, airports are reopened, and health and education services continue,” Guterres told the ambassadors.
While the UN will adapt to the security situation in Afghanistan, the secretary-general stated that “we will stay and deliver in support of the Afghan people in their hour of need.”
Meanwhile, a group of UN-appointed human rights experts called for swift global action to prevent “civilian slaughter” in Afghanistan, while also warning that two decades of work on health, education, culture and social infrastructure were at risk.
“We adamantly reiterate that it is unacceptable for States to stand on the sidelines when a United Nations Security Council-listed terrorist organisation overruns the territory of Afghanistan and engages in acts that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity,” they said in a statement.
The experts expressed outrage over wanton attacks on civilians, the targeting of independent journalists and media, and violence against women and girls.
They said reports from 16 Afghan provinces showed women were experiencing the same rights violations that occurred under Taliban rule 20 years ago, including being forced to wear a burka, forced marriage, and restrictions on freedom of movement.
The experts further urged the Security Council “to take appropriate action under Chapter VII of the (UN) Charter to safeguard the human rights and humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan.”
Chapter VII concerns Council response to threats to peace, breaches of peace, or acts of aggression, and allows for non-military and military action.
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