Baghdad The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, pledged on Monday to protect the Afghan people, calling on the Taliban movement to abide by international laws, exercise restraint and ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
Guterres said in a special session of the Security Council to discuss the developments in the situation in Afghanistan: The world is following the events in Afghanistan with a heavy heart and concern about the future. We have all seen the images, chaos, fear and panic in Afghanistan. We felt that the hopes and dreams of the citizens had been stopped.. I urge the Taliban to exercise restraint and make sure that humanitarian aid arrives.
He continued: I call on all parties to commit to protecting civilians, providing any possible humanitarian assistance, and saving people’s lives.
He eplained: The United Nations pledges to help the Afghan people, and we still have staff in many areas controlled by the Taliban, and I am pleased to inform you that our offices have been respected, and we urge the Taliban to continue with that respect, and to ensure that the integrity of these places is not violated.
He added, “the continuation of basic services must be ensured. The presence of the United Nations in the country will adapt to the security situation, and we will continue to provide support to the Afghan people.” We must not abandon the people of Afghanistan.
Guterres urged the countries neighboring Afghanistan to work to receive the displaced people and Afghan refugees, and to refrain from deporting them.
He added: The United Nations must gather to use all tools, to speak with one voice to address human rights violations there, and I ask the Taliban and all parties to respect human rights and international law.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations addressed the violations committed in Afghanistan, expressing concern about human rights violations, especially among women and girls who fear a return to the previous situation, stressing the need to guarantee and safeguard women’s rights , assistance and preservation of girls’ education and protection of their rights.
He also stressed the need for the international community to ensure that “Afghanistan is not used as a safe haven for terrorist groups.
For his part, the representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations expressed concern about the violations committed by the Taliban in the country, stressing the need for the international community not to recognize any forces that reach important positions by force, in addition to the importance of forming a comprehensive transitional government.
“I speak on behalf of the millions of people in Afghanistan whose fate hangs in the air, I speak on behalf of the girls and women who will lose their freedom to education, work and participate in the country’s social, economic and political life,” he said.
He described the situation in his country, saying: As you can see, the situation in Kabul, a city of more than 6 million people, is difficult. We witnessed the chaotic appearances at Kabul airport as desperate people tried to leave the country, worried that Taban would not honor all the promises it made in Doha and international forums.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency