The UN Security Council calls for the appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan

It follows an independent assessment report released in November that called for greater engagement with Afghanistan, when the Taliban return to power there in August 2021.

The resolution calls on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to appoint a special envoy to promote the implementation of the independent report’s recommendations, particularly related to gender equality and human rights.

The resolution was adopted following 13 members of the Security Council voted for it, with Russia and China abstaining.

“The UAE and Japan firmly believe that an independent assessment is the best basis for further discussions,” Japan’s ambassador to the UN, Yamazaki Kazuyuki, said before the vote.

“The resolution emphasizes the need to increase international engagement in a more coherent, coordinated and structured manner, as suggested by the independent assessment,” he added.

The Taliban government is not officially recognized by any country or world organization, and the United Nations administration refers to it as “Taliban in fact government”.

The Taliban initially promised a softer version of the strict sharia that characterized their first period of rule from 1996 to 2001, but have gradually reintroduced restrictions, particularly on women.

Girls are banned from attending school following the sixth grade and universities are closed to women, sparking widespread outrage and protests in some Afghan cities.

Last November, women were banned from visiting parks, attractions, gyms and public baths.

“The United States strongly supports this resolution’s call for a UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan.” The Special Envoy will be well placed to coordinate international engagement on Afghanistan, including with relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders,” the United States representative said following the resolution was passed.