Ideally, Afghanistan would be fully reintegrated within the international system without passing through a further cycle of violence and in accordance with international law, according to a recent United Nations’ Independent Assessment on Afghanistan report.
It’s something to work toward, but right now, too many problems stand in the way, said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Rosa Otunbayeva. Speaking before the UN Security Council as the representatives debated whether to engage in dialogue with the Taliban, she recounted productive engagement with the Taliban on a number of topics including human rights and governance. On the other hand, the return of the Taliban to power has seen the emergence of an alarming pattern of human rights violations across the board.
So, the question is: is there a benefit to starting a dialogue with the Taliban?
The United States Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs Robert Wood highlighted three pressing topics that need to be resolved.
First, “Afghan women urge the United Nations to stress to the Taliban that it must include women in all sectors of society,” said Ambassador Wood. “The United States hears their requests and will not consider any significant steps toward normalization of relations with the Taliban until women and girls have meaningful access to education, the workforce, and other aspects of social and political life.”
Second, “the Taliban is hindering humanitarian access, notably through restrictions on female humanitarian staff,” said Ambassador Wood. “The United States is committed to providing assistance to those most in need. Since 2021, we have provided over $2 billion in assistance. It is imperative to recognize that humanitarian assistance alone is not enough. That is why the Taliban must reverse their policies that keep women from contributing to Afghanistan’s economy.”
And finally, the United States welcomes the UN’s Independent Assessment on Afghanistan, which calls for the appointment of a Special Envoy in establishing an international contact group. They “will be important for the development of a roadmap that ensures Afghanistan meets its international obligations.”
“The Security Council must continue to work together to press the Taliban to reverse their destructive course,” said Ambassador Wood. “The Taliban must engage in serious dialogue with the Afghan people to support their aspirations, to put an end to human rights abuses, and to allow assistance to reach those in need.”
