The UN warns that Afghanistan is at risk of “complete collapse” | Political News

The United Nations warned that despite its concerns about the Taliban government, Afghanistan faces the risk of a “complete collapse” and the international community has not found a way to get money into Afghanistan.

At present, nearly 10 billion U.S. dollars of assets of the Central Bank of Afghanistan are frozen overseas, which is regarded as a key influence on the new government.

But Deborah Lyons, the UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan, told the Security Council on Thursday that it needed to find a way to transport funds into the country “to prevent the complete collapse of the economic and social order” and pointed out that Afghanistan is facing a storm crisis including Currency devaluation, sharp increases in food and fuel prices, and a lack of cash in private banks. She said the authorities did not have the funds to pay wages.

“The economy must take a breather for a few more months to give the Taliban a chance to show flexibility and a genuine willingness to act differently this time, especially from a human rights, gender and counter-terrorism perspective,” Lyons told 15-members The committee stated that safeguards can be designed to ensure that funds are not misused.

Foreign donors led by the United States provided more than 75% of public expenditures for the Afghan government that collapsed due to the United States quit Its army has been in the country for 20 years.

President Joe Biden’s government has expressed its openness to donating humanitarian aid, but said that any direct economic lifeline, including the unfreezing of central bank assets, will depend on the actions of the Taliban, including allowing people to pass through safely. LeaveThe first civilian flight from Kabul-carrying more than 100 passengers-landed in Qatar on Thursday

The International Monetary Fund also prevented the Taliban from using approximately $440 million in new emergency reserves.

“The Taliban seek international legitimacy and support. Our message is simple: any legitimacy and support must be won,” senior US diplomat Geoffrey de Laurentiis told the Security Council.

After arriving at the Doha Airport terminal by Qatar Airways from Kabul, passengers were waiting in line-this is the first international commercial flight since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan [Nooman Ben Amor/Reuters]

Russia and China provided millions of dollars Emergency assistance In the country, both sides advocated the release of frozen assets in Afghanistan.

Geng Shuang, China’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, said: “These assets belong to Afghanistan and should be used in Afghanistan, not as a threat or a lever for restraint.”

Lyon’s warning came after a severe report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warned that the country might face General poverty As the economy shrinks. According to the United Nations Development Program, this country with a population of 18 million is already one of the poorest in the world, with 72% of people living on no more than one U.S. dollar a day.

Ghulam Isaczai, the Afghan UN ambassador appointed by the US-backed government, urged the Security Council to “reject any government in Afghanistan unless it is truly inclusive and based on the free will of the Afghan government. basically”. people. “

‘Credible allegations’

The Taliban announced that what it said was Provisional government On Tuesday, there were no women and several ministers on the UN sanctions list.

Lyon said there are “credible allegations” that, despite promises of amnesty, the Taliban committed retaliatory killings against security forces.

She also expressed concern about what she said was the increasing harassment of UN Afghan staff, even though she said the Taliban respected this world organization to a large extent.

Taliban leaders said they will respect Women’s rights under Islamic law, but not detailed.

When the organization was in power from 1996 to 2001, women were not allowed to work and girls were forbidden to go to school. Women must cover themselves and must be accompanied by male relatives when they leave the house.

Lyon said the UN is receiving more and more reports of women being subject to such restrictions again.

“In some areas, they restricted girls’ access to education and disbanded women’s affairs ministries across Afghanistan,” she added.

Lyon said there have been increasing reports that women and girls were again restricted by the Taliban during their ruling period from 1996 to 2001. [Stringer/EPA]

The United Nations plans to hold a humanitarian aid commitment meeting on Monday. Although the Taliban government did not participate, it has not yet been recognized by any country.

Despite widespread concerns about the interim government appointed by the Taliban on Tuesday, the government does not have a woman and several ministers on the UN terrorism allegation watch list, but it still appeals for support.

Malala Yousafzai (Malala Yousafzai) was shot in the head by the Pakistani branch of the Taliban when she was 15 years old for advocating girls’ education. She told the Council that she heard more and more Afghan girls and female teachers being shot in the head. Tell to stay home.

The Nobel Prize winner urged global powers to send a “clear and open message” to the Taliban that any working relationship depends on the education of girls.

“A voice for girls’ education can force the Taliban to make real concessions. This is not only vital for Afghan women and girls themselves, but also for the long-term security of the region and our world,” she said.