New York, 20 December 2023
Thank you, Mr. President.
Let me start by thanking SRSG Otunbayeva, Director Rajasingham, Executive Director Akbar and Ambassador Dominguez as Chair of Cttee 1988 for their insightful presentations.
The overall situation in Afghanistan continuous to be a matter of grave concern that needs increased attention and action from the international community. For years, the people of Afghanistan have endured violence, discrimination, and deprivation of the most basic rights.
Women and girls continue to be excluded and erased from public life. The Taliban have already institutionalized a large scale and systematic gender-based discrimination and violence against women and girls. As a result, women and girls in Afghanistan are living under an apartheid regime.
Ongoing extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture and ill-treatment of former government officials and members of the former Afghan National Defense and Security Forces remain deeply concerning.
Cases of torture and inhumane treatment in detention centers, as well as of human rights violations remain largely unpunished. This culture of impunity is once again showing us the real face of the Taliban. They promise for a more inclusive and less repressive leadership and end up doing the exact opposite.
We cannot turn a blind eye to the plight of the Afghan people who are enduring unimaginable hardships and uncertainty on a daily basis. It is essential to prioritize the protection of civilians, uphold human rights and work towards addressing the root causes of the conflict by promoting inclusive and sustainable development in Afghanistan.
Mr. President,
The instability in Afghanistan has the potential to spill over into neighboring countries, further exacerbating regional tensions and insecurity. It is evident that the situation in Afghanistan is not a mere domestic issue, but one that has reverberating consequences for international peace and security.
We expect that the DFA manage, mitigate, and prevent threats to regional and global stability by taking all the necessary measures to prevent the use of Afghan soil for threats or attacks against any other country, for planning and financing terrorist acts, or for producing, selling and trafficking illegal narcotics.
Mr. President,
Albania welcomed the Independent Assessment published several days ago. We must use this momentum to prioritize our efforts to achieve a secure, stable, prosperous, and inclusive Afghanistan, and discuss the strategic focus areas for addressing these priorities.
Any progress or increased engagement with the De Facto Authorities must be linked to benchmarks grounded in human rights obligations, particularly in women’s rights.
All our efforts to address the overall humanitarian, human rights and socio-economic situation in Afghanistan will fall short if we fail to urgently address the dire situation of women and girls in the country.
We must also support those on the ground who are working tirelessly to defend human rights and provide assistance to those in need. This includes funding for humanitarian aid, supporting grassroots organizations, and offering refuge to those who are in immediate danger.
Mr. President,
In light of these sobering realities, it is incumbent upon us to rally together and respond to the call for action. We cannot afford to stand idly by while the people of Afghanistan continue to suffer. We must mobilize our resources, political will, and diplomacy to support Afghanistan in its quest for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity.
In concluding, we urge all members to redouble efforts in finding viable and sustainable solutions, and to stand with the Afghan people in their pursuit of a better future.
Thank you.
