PRESS RELEASE : The international community must maintain its advocacy on women’s rights in Afghanistan – UK statement at the UN Security Council [December 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 December 2023.
Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.
Thank you, President, let me join others in thanking SRSG Otunbayeva, and our other briefers for their important remarks today.
President, the United Kingdom remains gravely concerned at the continued curtailment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls. This, along with ongoing reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions, is in clear violation of the international commitments that all states must adhere to.
We echo UNAMA’s recommendation that the international community should maintain its multilateral advocacy on women’s rights and gender equality. The UK is, of course, a firm supporter of these values and we will continue to raise them at every opportunity.
Since UNAMA’s last briefing to the Council, Herat was struck by successive devastating earthquakes. In response, the UK has provided around $4 million dollars in emergency support to those affected, including a further $13 million to support Afghans across the country during the winter months.
We have also committed $23.5 million dollars to the International Organisation for Migration to support vulnerable undocumented Afghans returning to the country.
President, it’s been over two years now since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. As the independent assessment in Afghanistan concluded, our shared goal should be an Afghanistan that is at peace with its people, its neighbours, and the international community. It’s our view that the independent assessment outlines the architecture and mechanisms that are needed to achieve this.
For our part, the United Kingdom is fully committed to finding a constructive way forward. In the absence of a coherent international strategy to date, it is the responsibility of this Council to seize the momentum provided by this report.
We look forward to continuing to work constructively with international partners and the full range of Afghan stakeholders in our shared endeavour towards improving the lives of all Afghans.
Thank you.
