YouSaid · the spoken record

Adela Raz

lines on the record: 143
first: 2020-04-27
most recent: 2021-06-28
sittings or episodes: 17
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“More than 50 per cent of our population is under the age of 15 and our humanitarian response plan paints a dire picture of the situation faced by many Afghans. The number of people in need has increased from 9.4 million to 18.4 million this year. But we must think beyond statistics. Afghanistan’s children represent the aspiration of our people for peace and prosperity and their rights are non-negotiable. Once again, let me emphasize Afghanistan’s appreciation for the tireless work and efforts of UNAMA and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary - General for Children and Armed Conflict to protect the rights of the children of Afghanistan. We remain a dedicated partner and in close cooperation and consultation in Kabul and New York to ensure that we are sustaining and improving upon our progress.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“To successfully overcome these challenges and meet our objectives, we want to reiterate the need for strong, clearly defined child protection mandates for the United Nations in Afghanistan. The United Nations is our key partner in our efforts to advance the protection of children. It is therefore critical that we fund dedicated personnel, and allocate appropriate budgets to country task forces on monitoring and reporting, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and UNICEF. I want to especially highlight the crucial but under-resourced reintegration, service and assistance programmes which must be timely, gender and age responsive and inclusive. We call on donors to redouble their valuable support to child protection through sustainable and adequate financial and technical support.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“I call on our international partners to support us in holding them accountable through diplomatic pressure and the effective implementation and potential expansion of sanctions, as needed. I reiterate that as long as the Taliban and other terrorist and non-State armed groups are not committed to prioritizing the safety of children, we will not be successful in our efforts to protect all children from violence. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges. It has complicated our efforts to deliver on child protection activities and, thereby, increased the risk of grave violations against conflict-affected young populations. It is, therefore, crucial to ensure that children remain at the centre of our COVID -19 response and recovery programmes.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“These groups continue to use heinous practices, including recruiting children as fighters and using civilians and their vital infrastructure as cover, that put children in harm’s way. The last few months have revealed to all of us the extent of the inhumane acts that non-State armed groups brazenly commit. They target children, girl’s going to school, minorities, maternity wards, and humanitarian workers. We once again call on the Taliban to join us in respecting and enforcing a ceasefire, for the sake of Afghanistan, the country we share, and its children. Rather than respect the national call for a ceasefire, the Taliban has so far continued to exploit the global pandemic with impunity, directing violence at our most vulnerable communities.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“We are further engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the United Nations office in Kabul to reinforce national legislations and further mainstream child protection efforts throughout the different sections of our national security architecture and in our efforts for peace and reconciliation. On this, we underscore “The practical guidance for mediators to protect children in situations of armed conflict” as an invaluable tool which could provide important inputs in this regard. Though we continue to make progress on our commitment to mitigate civilian casualties, including children, it is imperative to acknowledge that we face significant challenges and are impeded in our efforts by armed groups, particularly the Taliban.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“Child protection units established in the Afghanistan National Police across all provinces and child protection policies adopted by the Ministry of Interior and other relevant security structures have helped ensure that there have been no new recorded cases of child recruitment. However, despite these updates we understand that a lot remains to be done and align with the Secretary-General over his serious concerns on the number of children maimed and killed. The Afghan Government is collaborating and working with the United Nations to ensure that children are prioritized for protection during military operations. To ensure success, we recently launched the policy for the protection of children in armed conflict and security sectors together with United Nations partners. We are fully committed to turn this policy into practice.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“The joint action plan between the Government of Afghanistan and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict is a clear testimony to our commitment and it has achieved remarkable results. As proof of the progress achieved, we are happy to note that the Afghanistan National Police has been delisted from the annual report annexes. The delisting is the result of concerted efforts over a long period of time. The Government has strengthened and implemented policies regarding the upgraded Penal Code of 2017 and the Law on Protection of Child Rights, adopted through a presidential decree in 2019.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“In the Arria-formula meeting we held on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on violations against children in situations of armed conflict last May, I highlighted the Afghan Government’s efforts to ensure the safety of our children against the backdrop of an escalating conflict and a concerning humanitarian outlook exacerbated by the effects of the pandemic. Since then, attacks targeting civilian centres, such as the horrific attack on the school in Dasht-E-Barchi, have intensified. The recent report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan, has verified 552 child casualties, including 52 girls and 99 boys killed, and 401 children maimed. It is a situation that accentuates the critically urgent nature of this meeting. The Afghan Government remains committed to the protection of children affected by armed conflict.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“I would like to begin by extending our appreciation to Estonia for organizing this open debate on children and armed conflict. I further thank Secretary -General Antonio Guterres, Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, Forest Whitaker, Advocate for Children Affected by War with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, and Laban Onisimus, Education Specialist at Plan International Nigeria, for their comprehensive briefings.”
2021-06-28 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/617 (2021) · source
“Allow me to conclude by reiterating Afghanistan’s commitment to protecting civilians in line with our national and international obligations. We remain firm in our belief that peace is the only effective way to ensure the protection of our civilians and will redouble our efforts to achieve our long-awaited goal. Finally, let me reiterate our appreciation to the United Nations and our international partners for their support to peace — the most vital shared objective of all Afghan people.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Thirdly, the protection of civilians in armed conflict is an obligation and a shared responsibility of all parties to conflict. In Afghanistan, the Government is committed to the protection of civilians and is bound to it. However, the Taliban also needs to comply with international humanitarian law obligations and avoid targeting civilians and attacking public institutions and infrastructure. In this regard, I would like to stress that while we are pursuing the peace talks with the Taliban, it is essential that all international and regional partners increase their pressure on the Taliban to put an end to the ongoing violence, engage in peace talks in good faith, and enter an immediate and durable ceasefire to help us address the effects of COVID-19 and achieve a peace that will allow our people to prosper in a stable Afghanistan.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Before I conclude, allow me to re-emphasize the following key points to contribute to this worthwhile debate. First, conflicts are the leading cause of civilian casualties and other societal disasters. Our emphasis must therefore be on preventing conflicts before they occur. The international community should work to address the root causes of conflict and improve preventative diplomacy. Secondly, if a conflict breaks out, conflict resolution should be our priority. In that regard, I would like to underscore the critical role played by the United Nations and the Security Council specifically in promoting international peace and security and, in so doing, the protection of civilians, in particular through the strict implementation of resolutions and sanctions regimes to support our collective efforts.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“In addition, in recent months there have been direct attacks on those workers, as well as kidnappings and other acts of extortion. Meanwhile, the number of Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance doubled from 9.4 million in January 2020 to 18.4 million in January 2021. The levels of food insecurity also rose to affect 14 million people. As provisioned by resolution 2286 (2016) and as outlined previously, the Government of Afghanistan has focused its efforts to ensure the safety of medical personnel. With the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines from the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility and other donors, we once again stress the importance of a cessation of hostilities to allow for the effective vaccination of the Afghan population. A failure to work together on that and a continuation of the fighting will only benefit the virus.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“The explosion outside the Sayed Ul-Shuhada high school in Kabul shook the entire country and indeed, the world. We continue to mourn the loss of the precious lives of the children who represent the future of our country. As a signatory of the Safe Schools Declaration, Afghanistan reiterates its absolute condemnation of all attacks that target the infrastructure needed for the growth and development of the leaders of a new Afghanistan. The commitment to a child’s right to a safe and secure education is an obligation that all should share. Continued attacks on humanitarian and medical personnel in Afghanistan and other relevant infrastructure such as power pylons, cell towers, energy stations and roadway infrastructure have made it more difficult to serve our people, who continue to suffer from the effects of conflict and the deadly virus.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“During the first quarter of 2021, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported 1,783 civilian casualties — a 29 per cent increase compared to that same period last year. We have also experienced a 37 per cent increase in the number of women killed and injured by attacks and a 23 per cent increase in child casualties. Afghanistan has, moreover, seen an increase in targeted attacks aimed at silencing essential stakeholders for peace, including civil servants, human rights defenders, women, activists, religious scholars and journalists. The perpetrators must stop such cowardly attacks of terror to show their legitimate commitment to peace. The brutality of those groups has also been demonstrated through their continued attacks on schools and other spaces used by our children.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“The Government of Afghanistan remains firmly committed to ensuring that civilians are protected in all operations conducted by the Government and our international partners. Our armed forces meticulously implement our national policy on civilian casualty prevention and mitigation, which includes thorough guidelines on conducting operations with the protection of civilians at its centre. However, despite our best efforts, the enemies of Afghanistan continue to attack civilians directly while further placing many of them in harm’s way by using them as human shields and launching their operations using civilian infrastructure. The brutality of that continued campaign of violence has translated into horrific losses.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“While further international efforts and a drastic increase in solidarity are needed in response, we are encouraged by the support extended by many partners to help mitigate the effects of the pandemic in conflict-affected countries. The Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire, for example, has been promoted by Member States all around the world, including Afghanistan. That appeal strengthened the Government of Afghanistan’s previous call on the Taliban to engage in a ceasefire to provide the necessary space for peace efforts and humanitarian assistance to civilians in need. Unfortunately, however, the Taliban have refused to engage, and we continue to see a disastrous level of suffering and lack of humanitarian access throughout our country.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“The pain and suffering associated with war, its severe socioeconomic effects, its trauma and psychological impacts and the long-lasting effects it has on development underscore the need to mitigate the effects of conflict on civilians and ultimately achieve a peace that finally brings an end to all hostilities in Afghanistan. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an additional strain on an already traumatized population. People who were already afraid of the senseless violence caused by the Taliban, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant- Khorasan Province and other terrorist groups operating under the Taliban’s protective umbrella are now further troubled by the effects of a virus that has affected not only Afghanistan but the world as a whole.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Let me start by thanking Ambassador Zhang and his team at the Permanent Mission of China for organizing today’s meeting on the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Let me also thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock, and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer. I also wish to pay special tribute to my sister Ms. Orzala Nemat and her groundbreaking work as Director of the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit. Protection of Civilians Week is always a very solemn time for Afghanistan at the United Nations. It is a week in which we draw attention to and remember everyone we lost during the four decades of conflict that our country has endured.”
2021-05-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/505 (2021) · source
“Only a comprehensive and enduring peace can ensure stability in Afghanistan and, with it, maximize our efforts to ensure the protection of civilians and indispensable objects. Finally, let me reiterate our commitment to protecting and safeguarding all Afghan citizens throughout the ongoing conflict and fight against terrorist and armed groups, and, in doing so, pay tribute to our essential personnel and armed forces. Those heroes have continued to work tirelessly during the pandemic, fighting to protect the lives of their fellow Afghans, even when that means risking their own lives. We will honour their sacrifice by continuing our firm and tireless efforts for peace. Peace is the mandate that was given to us by our people. We will continue to honour it.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“The effective implementation of sanctions remains a tool that can be used to encourage the Taliban into compliance with international humanitarian law. By not heeding the calls for a humanitarian ceasefire during a pandemic and intensifying attacks on indispensable infrastructure and personnel, the Taliban makes us question its genuine commitment to peace. The Council must not lose sight of that when deciding on future sanctions listings or delistings. Our efforts must remain steadfast and focused. Furthermore, with the Turkey conference on the horizon, we believe that there is a window of hope for achieving peace, which requires a strong role for the United Nations, supported by regional and international partners, in order to seize the momentum and consolidate all efforts to end the conflict in Afghanistan.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Defeating the pandemic requires a focused approach, which cannot be achieved if attacks continue to target infrastructure that is key to a successful vaccine roll out. In that regard, we thank the Security Council for adopting resolution 2565 (2021), on facilitating equitable and affordable access to COVID-19 vaccines in armed conflict and post-conflict situations and in humanitarian emergencies. We hope that the Taliban will understand the urgency of the situation, cease hostilities and targeted attacks on indispensable infrastructure and personnel and truly work in favour of the safety of our people. In addition to the calls and resolutions that the Security Council has already issued, we believe that it also has a vital role to play in helping us to enhance the protection of civilians and indispensable objects in Afghanistan.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Since the early days of the pandemic, the Government of Afghanistan has been firm in its message that a humanitarian ceasefire is needed to ensure the protection of civilians and indispensable objects. That is a message that was shared by members of the Security Council on countless occasions and that was amplified by the Secretary-General’s appeal for a global ceasefire. Nevertheless, those calls have failed to materialize, leading to another year of pain for the innocent people of Afghanistan. The lack of a ceasefire will directly impact our vaccine efforts as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines begin to arrive in Afghanistan through the work of the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility and generous bilateral donations.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“We have seen attacks on cell towers, energy stations, transportation infrastructure and, most important, our humanitarian infrastructure. It is a cowardly campaign, which has claimed more than 1,000 casualties since the start of the year — a year that Afghans began with a hope for peace and a better future. The deteriorating security situation, the pandemic and climate change have contributed to a nearly 100 per cent increase in the number of Afghans in need, reaching 18.4 million people in January. In addition, the number of people suffering from food insecurity has risen to 14 million, and the number of people fleeing conflict in 2020 exceeded 80,000. That situation is both dangerous and unsustainable, but it could be mitigated through enhanced, genuine, firm and committed efforts for peace by the Taliban.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“As a country in conflict, we understand that failing to protect indispensable objects can be disastrous. Yet our enemies continue to launch attacks, going as far as using public infrastructure. They even use their very own Afghan brothers and sisters as human shields. In response to that heinous strategy, our armed forces have been closely adhering to our national policy on civilian casualty prevention and mitigation, which delineates strict rules of engagement focused on protecting civilians and indispensable objects. As the pandemic has waged on, we have also seen new strategies of indiscriminate and targeted attacks on journalists, human rights advocates and humanitarian workers, as well as the infrastructure on which they depend.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“Whether it be energy systems, medical facilities, sources of food and water or waste management infrastructure, the disruption of such services can exacerbate humanitarian emergencies and be catastrophic to essential infrastructure, including hospitals. The pandemic has stressed the importance of ensuring that parties to armed conflict comply with international humanitarian law and human rights law and that critical infrastructure, particularly for the delivery of humanitarian and health services, is protected. The need for a humanitarian pause to address the effects of the pandemic and ensure an effective roll out of the vaccine is urgent and emphasizes the importance of today’s meeting. Afghanistan therefore reiterates the Secretary- General’s call for a global humanitarian ceasefire.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“I first want to thank His Excellency Mr. Bui Thanh Son, Foreign Minister of Viet Nam, for presiding over this meeting and, at the same time, his delegation for organizing this discussion. I also want to thank the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Mr. Mark Lowcock, the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Peter Maurer, and the Chair of the Board of Directors of the International Peace Institute, Mr. Kevin Rudd, for their insightful briefings. Discussions on the protection of civilians require a nuanced focus on the situation of objects indispensable to the survival of civilian populations.”
2021-04-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/415 (2021) · source
“The Secretary-General’s reforms have created a blueprint for progress by energizing the role of regional and country offices. We must work to achieve consistency in our efforts, reduce overlaps and continue to work to achieve a more efficient United Nations.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“Likewise, the United Nations capability and wealth of experience from around the world could prove vital to better operationalize these mutually reinforcing mechanisms. We see a great potential for a natural synergy for effective management, mitigation and preventive measures to address the current and emerging challenges around the world. As we are tackling the many crises facing the world, including coronavirus disease, conflict and climate change, there is a need for coherent and coordinated efforts and strategies at the national, regional and international levels. Finally, as States Members of the United Nations, we should continue to emphasize the need for greater cooperation among the Organization and the actors and institutions on the ground.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“In addition, Afghanistan has also been engaged and active through its membership or observer status in other regional and international organizations, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Economic Cooperation Organization, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Programme, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence- Building Measures in Asia and others beyond the region. The diversity of platforms that currently exist to target the many challenges that continue to face the region underscores the abundance of expertise and knowledge available on the ground. The United Nations could further benefit from this expertise when engaging with issues that affect the region.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“RECCA has seen the implementation of economic development initiatives, infrastructure and connectivity projects, such as the Central Asia-South Asia power project; the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline; the Lapis Lazuli corridor; the Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan Energy Supply Improvement Investment Program; the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan- Pakistan 500-kV powerline; the Chabahar Port; and the Five Nations Railway.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“These efforts have created platforms for enhancing confidence-building through dialogue and discussion while delineating opportunities for regional economic development and security that can lead to long-lasting peace and stability, not only in Afghanistan, but in the wider region. These platforms are great examples of cooperation that involve not only Member States, but also the United Nations and regional and international organizations.Despite challenges and setbacks, our efforts have already resulted in tangible results. The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process has served as a proactive platform for the promotion of regional security, economic and political cooperation centred on Afghanistan through a set of eight clearly defined confidence-building measures.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“We strongly believe that without regional support and consensus for peace, we will not experience an enduring peace in Afghanistan, and as long as we do not see peace in Afghanistan, the region will continue to suffer from the spillover of conflict and instability. Regional cooperation and dialogue are, therefore, cornerstones of our foreign policy. Located at the heart of Asia, Afghanistan is well aware of its potential as a hub of regional connectivity and a centre of integration. We have sought to capitalize on our potential through the launch of tangible Afghan-led processes, supported by regional and international partners, notably the Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA) and the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process Ministerial Conference.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“But, as identified by many in this meeting, there is a need for the United Nations and particularly the Security Council to improve and redouble efforts to empower and engage with regional and subregional organizations to improve collaboration to solve our modern challenges and prevent conflicts. Afghanistan, as a country affected by conflict, realizes the importance of multilateral cooperation between the United Nations and other organizations and the power of fruitful regional cooperation. The advancement of our current peace efforts, the sustainable development of our country and the overall strengthening of the regional security architecture are dependent on close and coordinated cooperation at the regional and subregional levels.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“The United Nations, as a trusted, democratic and representative body, has promoted powerful change on many issues, helped prevent the outbreak of war and provided a forum for the peaceful settlement of disputes. It is an example of how multilateralism can promote consensus, understanding and dialogue. But the United Nations alone should not be the only forum to solve all issues. The current structures are at times limited when targeting specific problems that may require different working methods and approaches than those exhibited by the Organization. In these circumstances, regional and subregional structures can complement and are complementing the work of the United Nations.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“At the outset, I would like to thank His Excellency the President of Viet Nam, Nguyen Xuan Phuc for presiding over today’s very important meeting on the role of regional and subregional organizations in enhancing confidence-building and dialogue, and in doing so, also thank his delegation for its efforts in organizing this very timely discussion. I also want to extend my appreciation to Secretary- General António Guterres and former Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for their insightful briefings. Afghanistan has always stressed the value of multilateralism through regional and international cooperation as a fundamental element for the advancement of peace and security at home, in our region and the world.”
2021-04-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/394 (2021) · source
“Addressing sexual violence in conflict and protecting women and girls requires a cohesive and coordinated approach that brings the international community together around the same message. As such, we call on the international community and all Member States to redouble efforts to empower women, particularly those in conflict- affected countries, and to eliminate all violence against women and girls. We must emphasize that the gains of women in Afghanistan and elsewhere are not negotiable and that the international community is united in its efforts to protect progress and enhance the long-term safety of all those vulnerable to these heinous acts.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“At the global level, Afghanistan is proud to have joined and actively engaged with the Group of Friends for the elimination of violence against women and girls. In addition to challenges from the pandemic, we have observed a sharp increase in targeted attacks against women since the beginning of the peace process. Such attacks seek to silence women’s voices as negotiations move forward. In the past couple of months, we have seen attacks against a female member of our negotiating team, Supreme Court judges, journalists and other prominent women from our civil society. Those cowardly attacks underscore the necessity of not just maintaining but promoting and expanding the rights and protections women in Afghanistan enjoy, and ensuring the effective and consequential participation of women throughout peace negotiations in Afghanistan.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“To expand access to justice and protection, we have begun offering services via chat, text and telephone and have hosted a radio programme with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan to communicate the relevant information and messages on domestic safety. Afghanistan has also taken concrete steps to implement the Secretary- General’s appeal for peace in the home on the ground. The Ministry of Women’s Affairs has led a series of campaigns under the theme “Make Afghanistan free of violence through cohesion, coordination, financial support, and accountability”. We have also begun working with the Spotlight Initiative following its recent launch in Central Asia and Afghanistan and remain confident that that partnership will help improve the safety of Afghan women.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“For example, we have established family guidance centres throughout the country to provide survivors with legal advice, health and psychosocial services. The Government has also worked to educate various segments of the population on the importance of eliminating domestic violence, particularly violence against women. That has included lectures by religious figures and other actors on the ground, including elements of civil society. The Government has also redoubled its efforts to ensure that women can access referral mechanisms and other tools to serve them during these difficult times of COVID-19.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“Most notably, we have seen the implementation of a reformed penal code, which entered into force in February 2018, and a subsequent law on the elimination of violence against women. That has led to enhanced criminal accountability on issues of violence against women through specialized prosecution offices in all 34 provinces and a zero-tolerance approach on this matter. Our action plan also resulted in an expansion of the role of women in the judiciary and the security sectors through efforts led by the Afghanistan Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission. Their work has led to an increase in the number of female prosecutors and judges, and recruits in our armed forces and national police. We have also focused on assisting survivors of sexual violence.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“While the United Nations, including the Security Council, has worked to address this problem through action on the ground and the adoption of landmark Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2467 (2019), more effort is urgently needed. Before the pandemic, the Afghan Government had made great strides in working to address this issue, including by mainstreaming the women and peace and security agenda throughout its activities. Our national action plan on resolution 1325 (2000) has effectively worked to translate our international commitments and constitutional values into actionable policies and programmes that have aimed to empower women in our peace and security efforts while combating the problem of conflict-related sexual violence.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“I would like to thank the Permanent Mission of Viet Nam for holding this important meeting of the Security Council on sexual violence in conflict. I would also like to thank Ms. Pramila Patten, Dr. Denis Mukwege, Ms. Caroline Atim and Ms. Beatrix Attinger Colijn for their very valuable interventions. Addressing sexual violence in conflict, particularly through the protection of women and girls, is an urgent and timely topic of discussion for the Council. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated existing violence and underlined the need for States to enhance progress on the protection of women and girls.”
2021-04-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/375 (2021) · source
“Further, a comprehensive ceasefire would allow us to focus on activities, such as demining, that can create an environment conducive to the peace, development and growth of our country. Peace requires more than a political agreement and we hope that the Taliban also understands the importance of this. To close, I once again reiterate Afghanistan’s immense gratitude to our friends and international partners who continue to support our efforts for peace and a more secure Afghanistan. I also reiterate our thanks to the United Nations Mine Action Service and all donors who have provided support, both technical and financial, to help Afghanistan achieve a safer and more prosperous mine-free future.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“International funding for Afghanistan’s mine-action activities has dropped to 28 per cent of what it used to be in 2011, greatly impacting our ability to meet our annual mine-clearance targets. Being able to achieve mine-free status is a vital element for post-peace development and we hope that our generous international donors and friends, who have already given so much for Afghanistan, will help us reach our shared objective. Secondly, achieving an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned sustainable peace remains the most important element to stop IED attacks and sustainably demine our country. Only an end to hostilities will allow us to maximize our internal security efforts against other terrorist groups that continue to operate and ensure the effective elimination of remaining explosive artefacts.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“This team is just one example of the national unity for the cause of not only peace but also a sustainable new Afghanistan that can prosper and guarantee the safety of all its citizens. They represent the tenacity, fearlessness and confidence that Afghan women bring to all aspects of peacemaking and nation-building. We are proud of them and we hope to reward their sacrifice with the success of our efforts for sustainable peace. Finally, increased hostilities on the ground and the long-term socioeconomic effects of conflict have underscored two things with regard to the fight against IEDs and our mine-action objectives. First, with only two years left until the 2023 deadline, increased funding is critical to achieving our demining objective.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“Afghanistan has also worked to promote and protect the rights of those affected by landmines and explosive ordnances. For instance, the State Ministry for Martyrs and Disabled Affairs has, with international partners, developed the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy for 2020-2030. This Strategy is closely aligned with relevant international conventions and focuses on assistance to victims and the social inclusion of all those affected. We are committed to ensuring its successful implementation in the years to come. I also want to highlight the incredible and brave work of our all-women demining team. The team successfully cleared landmines from Bamyan province and, as a result, the province was declared free from mines in 2019.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“In 2020 alone, we cleared 14 square kilometres, to the benefit of 122 at-risk communities. These efforts closely follow a detailed plan of action, which aims to achieve mine-free status by 2023. We are sparing no effort in working with dedication to meet this objective, and we thank our friends and partners in the international community for all their support in this regard.S/2021/346 In addition to clearing hazardous objects, we have also delivered risk education, which teaches preventative measures and safe behaviours when encountering landmines and explosive ordnance and remnants of war. For example, the Ministry of Education has implemented mine-prevention programmes in Government schools throughout the country. Overall, these programmes have benefited more than 8 million people.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“On the issue of landmines and explosive remnants of war, the most recent statistics show that 3,918 identified hazards remain in the country. As a result, 1,530 communities are threatened by these artefacts, which also affect communities by delaying the construction of roads, transmission lines and other key infrastructure that could assist in the development of affected regions. While the challenge before us remains immense, significant progress has been made. The Afghan Directorate for Mine Action Coordination, in cooperation with the United Nations Mine Action Service, has devoted enormous effort and achieved joint success throughout the country. Since the start of our work together in 1989, we have effectively cleared close to 80 per cent of all known hazardous areas in Afghanistan, totalling over 3,200 square kilometres.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source
“They attack all of us and force our population to live in fear over where the next attack will take place. Their use constitutes a direct violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and it must immediately stop. The use of IEDs also reflects the need for better coordinated regional efforts to target terrorist groups and the overall movement of their resources. Today many of these groups share tools, expertise and materials to achieve their nefarious objectives. This includes the trafficking of weapons, chemical precursors and other materials used to make and enhance the capabilities of IEDs. Efforts, including information sharing and border controls, must be strengthened to ensure that these materials and other resources are not able to freely move within our region.”
2021-04-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/2021/346 (2021) · source