UNITED NATIONS (AP) 鈥� The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Monday calling on Afghanistan鈥檚 Taliban rulers to swiftly reverse their crackdown on women and to combat militant groups inside Afghanistan that Pakistan accuses of carrying out cross-border attacks.
China鈥檚 U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong, whose country sponsored the resolution, said the hope is that the Afghan government will 鈥渢ake more proactive measures to protect human rights, especially the rights of women, and project an image of openness, inclusivity and responsibility.鈥�
The resolution extends the U.N. political mission in Afghanistan until June 17, 2027, and authorizes it to support humanitarian aid deliveries 鈥渨ithout discrimination鈥� and to promote national and local governance 鈥渨ithout any discrimination based on sex, religion or ethnicity, with the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women, 鈥� minorities, youth and persons with disabilities.鈥�
The resolution鈥檚 adoption follows the in the western city of Herat this month for allegedly violating the Taliban鈥檚 strict dress code. A rare protest sparked by the arrests was by Taliban police, who shot and killed one person and injured several others, according to the U.N. mission known as UNAMA.
The have run Afghanistan since 2021 in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led forces and have imposed a of Islamic law, or Shariah, including on women and girls, such as bans on and on many jobs. Minorities have also been impacted.
The resolution authorizes the U.N. mission to facilitate talks between the Taliban and regional countries and the wider international community,
鈥淔or that political process to succeed, the Taliban must act,鈥� U.S. deputy ambassador Jennifer Locetta said. 鈥淭he Taliban must meet their counterterrorism commitments, respect Afghanistan鈥檚 international obligations, end hostage diplomacy, and cease their unconscionable abuses of the human rights of women and girls.鈥�
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, which the Taliban denies. Hundreds of people have been killed in fighting between the two countries since February, when Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.
Pakistan鈥檚 U.N. Ambassador Asim Ahmad said the 鈥渞esolution expresses the council鈥檚 serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, which continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security.鈥�
The new resolution also authorizes UNAMA to advance Afghanistan鈥檚 economic development, including by facilitating commercial and financial activity and supporting efforts to return assets belonging to the Central Bank 鈥渇or the benefit of the Afghan people.鈥�
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