Latest news with #AntjeLeendertse
Arab Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
UN adopts resolution on Afghanistan's Taleban rule over US objections
UNITED NATIONS, July 8, (AP): The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution Monday over US objections calling on Afghanistan's Taleban rulers to reverse their worsening oppression of women and girls and eliminate all terrorist organizations. The 11-page resolution also emphasizes "the importance of creating opportunities for economic recovery, development and prosperity in Afghanistan,' and urges donors to address the country's dire humanitarian and economic crisis. The resolution is not legally binding but is seen as a reflection of world opinion. The vote was 116 in favor, with two - the United States and close ally Israel - opposed and 12 abstentions, including Russia, China, India and Iran. Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, banning women from public places and girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Last week, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban's government. Germany's UN Ambassador Antje Leendertse, whose country sponsored the resolution, told the assembly before the vote that her country and many others remain gravely concerned about the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the Taliban's "near-total erasure' of the rights of women and girls. The core message of the resolution, she said, is to tell Afghan mothers holding sick and underfed children or mourning victims of terrorist attacks, as well as the millions of Afghan women and girls locked up at home, that they have not been forgotten. US minister-counselor Jonathan Shrier was critical of the resolution, which he said rewards "the Taleban's failure with more engagement and more resources." He said the Trump administration doubts they will ever pursue policies "in accordance with the expectations of the international community.' "For decades we shouldered the burden of supporting the Afghan people with time, money and, most important, American lives,' he said. "It is the time for the Taliban to step up. The United States will no longer enable their heinous behavior.' Last month, the Trump administration banned Afghans hoping to resettle in the US permanently and those seeking to come temporarily, with exceptions.
SBS Australia
08-07-2025
- Politics
- SBS Australia
UN highlights humanitarian and human rights crises in Afghanistan
At the UN headquarters in New York, 116 countries voted in favour of a resolution introduced by Germany, expressing grave concern about Afghanistan's humanitarian situation, particularly the rights of women and girls under Taliban rule. The United States and Israel voted against, while a dozen countries, including China and Pakistan, abstained. Germany's Ambassador to the UN, Antje Leendertse, facilitated the resolution. She said the measure reaffirmed the international community's continued engagement with the Afghan people. 'The situation in Afghanistan remains of concern to the international community. The United Nations and its member states remain engaged on the future of Afghanistan and its people. And that is the main message of the resolution before us. As the facilitator of this resolution, Germany has actively engaged all UN member states over the past weeks and months.' She acknowledged that while many find the Taliban's governance deeply troubling, engagement remains unavoidable. 'As many others, Germany acknowledges that there is no alternative to engagement with the Taliban, and we will continue to actively contribute to the UN-led Doha process. We support the approach of the UN working groups and remain open for further pragmatic forms of cooperation with the de-facto authorities, including on the safe return of Afghan refugees.' But Afghanistan's own representative to the UN painted a much bleaker picture. Chargé d'Affaires Naseer Ahmad Faiq, who represents the ousted Islamic Republic, accused the Taliban of dragging the country backwards. ' Afghanistan is at a crossroads. Since August 2021, the country has experienced alarming regression across all sectors, social, political, economic, and human rights. Nearly four years under Taliban rule have driven Afghanistan into one of the world's gravest humanitarian and human rights crises, as extensively documented by the Secretary-General and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.' Mr Faiq supported the resolution's call for inclusive governance and intra-Afghan dialogue, not Taliban rule by decree. 'The resolution rightly underscores that lasting peace in Afghanistan requires inclusive, representative, and participatory governance. We strongly support the call for a credible political process rooted in genuine intra-Afghan dialogue that reflects the diverse aspirations of all Afghans—women, youth, minorities, and civil society. The Taliban are a group which – should they wish – be part of the solution to Afghanistan's crisis, but they can never be the sole solution by themselves.' That message of cautious engagement comes at a delicate time. Last week, Russia officially recognised the Taliban government, becoming the first country to do so since the group seized power in August 2021. Moscow's foreign ministry says it has accepted credentials from the Taliban's appointed ambassador and called it the start of productive bilateral cooperation. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi welcomed the decision, calling it 'a good example for other countries.' No other country has formally recognised the Taliban government that took over after US-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan following 20 years of war. However, China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Pakistan have all designated ambassadors to Kabul, in a step towards recognition. The Taliban has been seeking international legitimacy, while maintaining strict enforcement of their version of Islamic law, including banning girls from secondary schools and restricting women from work and public life. The UN resolution is symbolic and carries no legal force, but it reflects global unease about rewarding a regime many still view as illegitimate.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
U.N. adopts resolution on Afghanistan's Taliban rule over U.S. objections
The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution on Monday (July 7, 2025) over U.S. objections calling on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to reverse their worsening oppression of women and girls and eliminate all terrorist organizations. The 11-page resolution also emphasizes 'the importance of creating opportunities for economic recovery, development and prosperity in Afghanistan,' and urges donors to address the country's dire humanitarian and economic crisis. The resolution is not legally binding but is seen as a reflection of world opinion. The vote was 116 in favor, with two — the United States and close ally Israel — opposed and 12 abstentions, including Russia, China, India and Iran. Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, banning women from public places and girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Last week, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban's government. Germany's U.N. Ambassador Antje Leendertse, whose country sponsored the resolution, told the assembly before the vote that her country and many others remain gravely concerned about the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the Taliban's 'near-total erasure' of the rights of women and girls. The core message of the resolution, she said, is to tell Afghan mothers holding sick and underfed children or mourning victims of terrorist attacks, as well as the millions of Afghan women and girls locked up at home, that they have not been forgotten. U.S. Minister-Counselor Jonathan Shrier was critical of the resolution, which he said rewards 'the Taliban's failure with more engagement and more resources." He said the Trump administration doubts they will ever pursue policies "in accordance with the expectations of the international community.' 'For decades we shouldered the burden of supporting the Afghan people with time, money and, most important, American lives,' he said. 'It is the time for the Taliban to step up. The United States will no longer enable their heinous behavior.' Last month, the Trump administration banned Afghans hoping to resettle in the U.S. permanently and those seeking to come temporarily, with exceptions. The resolution expresses appreciation to governments hosting Afghan refugees, singling out the two countries that have taken the most: Iran and Pakistan. Shrier also objected to this, accusing Iran of executing Afghans 'at an alarming rate without due process' and forcibly conscripting Afghans into its militias. While the resolution notes improvements in Afghanistan's overall security situation, it reiterates concern about attacks by al-Qaida and Islamic State militants and their affiliates. It calls upon Afghanistan "to take active measures to tackle, dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations equally and without discrimination.' The General Assembly also encouraged U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a coordinator to facilitate 'a more coherent, coordinated and structured approach' to its international engagements on Afghanistan.
Korea Herald
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
UN adopts resolution on Afghanistan's Taliban rule over US objections
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution Monday over US objections calling on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to reverse their worsening oppression of women and girls and eliminate all terrorist organizations. The 11-page resolution also emphasizes 'the importance of creating opportunities for economic recovery, development and prosperity in Afghanistan,' and urges donors to address the country's dire humanitarian and economic crisis. The resolution is not legally binding but is seen as a reflection of world opinion. The vote was 116 in favor, with two — the US and close ally Israel — opposed and 12 abstentions, including Russia, China, India and Iran. Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, banning women from public places and girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban's government. Germany's UN Ambassador Antje Leendertse, whose country sponsored the resolution, told the assembly before the vote that her country and many others remain gravely concerned about the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the Taliban's 'near-total erasure' of the rights of women and girls. The core message of the resolution, she said, is to tell Afghan mothers holding sick and underfed children or mourning victims of terrorist attacks, as well as the millions of Afghan women and girls locked up at home, that they have not been forgotten. US minister-counselor Jonathan Shrier was critical of the resolution, which he said rewards 'the Taliban's failure with more engagement and more resources." He said the Trump administration doubts they will ever pursue policies "in accordance with the expectations of the international community.' 'For decades we shouldered the burden of supporting the Afghan people with time, money and, most important, American lives,' he said. 'It is the time for the Taliban to step up. The US will no longer enable their heinous behavior.' Last month, the Trump administration banned Afghans hoping to resettle in the US permanently and those seeking to come temporarily, with exceptions. The resolution expresses appreciation to governments hosting Afghan refugees, singling out the two countries that have taken the most: Iran and Pakistan. Shrier also objected to this, accusing Iran of executing Afghans 'at an alarming rate without due process' and forcibly conscripting Afghans into its militias. While the resolution notes improvements in Afghanistan's overall security situation, it reiterates concern about attacks by al-Qaida and Islamic State militants and their affiliates. It calls upon Afghanistan "to take active measures to tackle, dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations equally and without discrimination.' The General Assembly also encouraged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a coordinator to facilitate 'a more coherent, coordinated and structured approach' to its international engagements on Afghanistan.
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Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
UN adopts resolution on Afghanistan's Taliban rule despite US objections
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Monday over US objections calling on Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to reverse their worsening oppression of women and girls and eliminate all terrorist organizations. The 11-page resolution also emphasises the importance of creating opportunities for economic recovery, development and prosperity in Afghanistan, and urges donors to address the country's dire humanitarian and economic crisis. The resolution is not legally binding but is seen as a reflection of world opinion. The vote was 116 in favour, with two the United States and close ally Israel opposed and 12 abstentions, including Russia, China, India and Iran. Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed harsh measures, banning women from public places and girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Last week, Russia became the first country to formally recognize the Taliban's government. Germany's UN Ambassador Antje Leendertse, whose country sponsored the resolution, told the assembly before the vote that her country and many others remain gravely concerned about the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the Taliban's near-total erasure of the rights of women and girls. The core message of the resolution, she said, is to tell Afghan mothers holding sick and underfed children or mourning victims of terrorist attacks, as well as the millions of Afghan women and girls locked up at home, that they have not been forgotten. US minister-counsellor Jonathan Shrier was critical of the resolution, which he said rewards the Taliban's failure with more engagement and more resources." He said the Trump administration doubts they will ever pursue policies "in accordance with the expectations of the international community. For decades we shouldered the burden of supporting the Afghan people with time, money and, most important, American lives, he said. It is the time for the Taliban to step up. The United States will no longer enable their heinous behaviour. Last month, the Trump administration banned Afghans hoping to resettle in the US permanently and those seeking to come temporarily, with exceptions. The resolution expresses appreciation to governments hosting Afghan refugees, singling out the two countries that have taken the most: Iran and Pakistan. While the resolution notes improvements in Afghanistan's overall security situation, it reiterates concern about attacks by al-Qaida and Islamic State militants and their affiliates. It calls upon Afghanistan "to take active measures to tackle, dismantle and eliminate all terrorist organizations equally and without discrimination. The General Assembly also encouraged UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a coordinator to facilitate a more coherent, coordinated and structured approach to its international engagements on Afghanistan.
