WorlPosted at: Aug 17 2021 1:22AM World must ensure Afghanistan is never again used as platform or safe haven for terror: Guterres
United Nations, Aug 16 (UNI) UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday told the UN Security Council, with India holding the month-long presidency, that the international community must unite to make sure that Afghanistan is never again used as a platform or a safe haven for terrorist organisations, echoing what India has been maintaining all along.
Addressing an emergency UN Security Council meeting convened on Afghanistan, a day after the Ashraf Ghani regime was toppled by the Taliban, Guterres said the real time images seen on TV and social media on the unrest in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover has caused deep disquiet “about what lies ahead”.
“The international community must unite to make sure that Afghanistan is never again used as a platform or safe haven for terrorist organisations. I appeal to the UNSC and the international community as a whole to stand together and act together and use all tools at their disposal to suppress the global terrorist threat in Afghanistan and to guarantee that basic human rights will be respected,” the UN chief said.
He said the world is “following the events in Afghanistan with a heavy heart and deep disquiet about what lies ahead”.
“All of us have seen the images in real time-- chaos, unrest, uncertainty and fear. Much lies in the balance – the progress, hope, the dreams of a generation of young Afghan women and girls, boys and men.
“In this grave hour, I urge all parties, especially the Taliban, to exercise utmost restraint, to protect lives, to ensure that humanitarian needs can be met.
“Conflict has forced hundreds and thousands from their homes . The capital city has seen a huge influx of internal displaced persons from provinces across the country where they felt insecure or fled during the fighting.
“I remind all parties of their obligation to protect civilians and I call on all parties to provide humanitarian and unimpeded access to all timely and life saving services and aid . I also urge all countries to be willing to receive afghan refugees and refrain from any deportations
Mr President, Now is the time to stand as one,” he said.
“The International community must be united to ensure that we must speak with one voice to uphold human rights in Afghanistan,” he said, and called upon the Taliban and all parties “to respect and protect international humanitarian law and the rights and freedoms of all persons”.
“We are receiving chilling reports of severe restrictions on human rights throughout the country, and I am particularly concerned about by the mounting human rights violations against the women and girls of Afghanistan who fear a return to the darkest days.
“ It is essential that the hard won rights of the women and girls are protected. They are looking to the international community for support, the same international community that assured them that opportunities would be expanded, education will be guaranteed, freedoms would spread and rights will be secured,” he added.
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