UNSC adopts resolution on Taliban
- United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution on Afghanistan after the Taliban's return to power, focusing on counter-terrorism and humanitarian assistance.
- Resolution 2593 demands that Afghan territory not be used to threaten or attack any country, shelter or train terrorists or plan or finance terrorist acts.
- It reiterates the importance of combating terrorism in Afghanistan and notes the Taliban's relevant commitments.
Features of Resolution:
- The resolution calls for:
- Strengthened efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
- Full, safe and unhindered access for the UN, its specialized agencies and implementing partners and all humanitarian actors engaged in humanitarian relief activity to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches all those in need.
- Calls all donors and international humanitarian actors to provide assistance to Afghanistan and major Afghan refugee-hosting countries and underlines that all parties must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians.
- It expects the Taliban to adhere to these and all other commitments, including the safe, secure and orderly departure of Afghans and all foreign nationals from Afghanistan.
Russia and China abstention
- Russia abstained as the resolution wasnt specific enough about terror threats, did not speak of the“brain drain”effect of evacuating Afghans and did not address the economic and humanitarian consequences of US freezing the Afghan government’s US accounts following the Taliban takeover.
- China shared some of Russia’s concerns.
- All the remaining 13 members of the Security Council voted in favor.