United Nations Security Council Resolution 2681 – The situation in Afghanistan
Resolution 2681 (2023)
The Security Council,
Recalling its previous resolutions on Afghanistan,
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, as well as its continued support for the people of Afghanistan, reaffirming its support for a peaceful, stable, prosperous, and inclusive Afghanistan, and expressing its support for the principle of a comprehensive and inclusive, Afghan-led and Afghan-owned determination of the country’s political future and development path,
Recognizing the need to address the multifaceted challenges faced by Afghanistan, including but not limited to, humanitarian, economic and social challenges, development, security and terrorism, narcotics, dialogue and engagement, governance and the rule of law, as well as human rights and especially the rights of women and girls, religious and ethnic minorities,
Reaffirming the indispensable role of women in Afghan society, including in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, in peace-building, and in the humanitarian response, and stressing the importance of their full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation for Afghanistan’s future and long-term development, involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, and the need to increase their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution,
Expressing deep concern at the increasing erosion of respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban, in particular women and girls’ lack of equal access to education, economic opportunities, including access to work, participation in public life, freedom of movement, justice, and basic services, the absence of which make peace, stability, and prosperity in the country unattainable,
Reiterating that the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance requires all actors to allow full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access consistent with international law for all humanitarian personnel, including women, for United Nations agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations, and for other humanitarian actors, and to allow women and girls safe access to humanitarian assistance and basic services,
Expressing deep concern that the recent decision by the Taliban to ban Afghan women from working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, in addition to the earlier restrictions that banned Afghan women from working for international and national non-governmental organizations, will negatively and severely impact United Nations operations in the country, including the delivery of life-saving assistance and basic services to the most vulnerable, and the ability of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to implement fully its mandate, and recalling in this regard Article 8 of the Charter of the United Nations,
Emphasizing that banning Afghan women from working for the United Nations is unprecedented in the history of the United Nations,
Expressing its deep concern regarding the dire economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, including the funding gap for humanitarian operations, at a time when Afghanistan faces a humanitarian crisis with 6 million people one step from famine-like conditions, and recognizing the need to help address the substantial challenges facing Afghanistan’s economy, including through efforts to restore the banking and financial systems, and for strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs in Afghanistan,
- Condemns the decision by the Taliban to ban Afghan women from working for the United Nations in Afghanistan, which undermines human rights and humanitarian principles;
2. Calls for the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and girls in Afghanistan, calls upon the Taliban to swiftly reverse the policies and practices that restrict the enjoyment by women and girls of their human rights and fundamental freedoms including related to their access to education, employment, freedom of movement, and women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in public life, and urges all States and organizations to use their influence, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations, to promote an urgent reversal of these policies and practices;
3. Reiterates its demand that all parties allow full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access for the personnel of United Nations humanitarian agencies, their partners, and other humanitarian actors and providers of basic services, regardless of gender;
4. Stresses the urgent need to continue addressing the dire economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, and the lack of essential services to the Afghan population and economic and social conditions that can lead to self-reliance and stability in Afghanistan, and recognizes the need to help address the substantial challenges facing Afghanistan’s economy, including through efforts to enable the use of assets belonging to Afghanistan’s Central Bank for the benefit of the Afghan people;
5. Stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA and other United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes across Afghanistan, reiteratesits full support to the work of UNAMA and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and calls upon all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, including relevant authorities as needed, as well as international actors to coordinate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel throughout the country;
6. Underscores that dialogue, consultation, and engagement among all relevant Afghan stakeholders, the region and the wider international community is critical for a political settlement in Afghanistan, as well as peace and stability in the country, the region and beyond, and in this regard welcomes diplomatic efforts conducive to such a settlement;
7. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 9314th meeting, on 27 April 2023.
