Germany’s U.N. ambassador, Antje Leendertse, had hoped the 193-member Common Meeting would approve the German-facilitated decision by consensus.
However a vote was requested and it was adopted 116-0, with 10 international locations abstaining — Russia, China, Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Sixty-seven international locations didn’t vote.
Common Meeting resolutions aren’t legally binding, in contrast to Safety Council resolutions, however they do mirror world opinion.
The adoption got here the identical day that the Taliban, which already banned ladies from center faculty and highschool, prohibited ladies from utilizing gyms and parks.
Earlier than the vote, Leendertse advised the meeting that for the reason that Taliban got here to energy in August 2021 Afghanistan has seen “a large financial contraction and humanitarian disaster” which has left half the inhabitants dealing with “crucial ranges of meals insecurity.”
“We count on a harsh winter and ranges of wants that we’ve not seen within the final many years with little prospect for financial restoration and discount of poverty,” she warned.
Introducing the decision, Leendertse advised the meeting that the Taliban management the nation however aren’t dwelling as much as their duty towards assembly the wants of the Afghan folks.
“The decision is a transparent name to respect, shield and fulfill human rights, develop inclusive governance and struggle terrorism,” she mentioned. “It accommodates a transparent message that with out that, there can’t be enterprise as traditional and no pathway towards recognition.”
The decision pledges continued U.N. assist for the Afghan folks “so as to rebuild a steady, safe and economically self-sufficient state, freed from terrorism, narcotics, transnational organized crime, together with trafficking in individuals, and corruption, and to strengthen the foundations of a constitutional democracy as a accountable member of the worldwide group.”
It requires improved entry for help employees and acknowledges the necessity to assist handle Afghanistan’s financial challenges, together with efforts to revive the banking and monetary programs and enabling Central Financial institution belongings — held primarily in the USA — for use to assist the Afghan folks.
The decision expresses deep concern at human rights abuses in opposition to ladies and ladies, together with sexual violence, and calls on the Taliban to advertise “full, equal, significant and secure participation of girls in all points of Afghan society.”
It condemns all assaults, reprisals and violence in opposition to journalists and media employees and calls for his or her perpetrators to be delivered to justice.
The decision reaffirms the meeting’s expectation that the Taliban will reside as much as its commitments to permit the secure departure of all Afghans and international nationals that need to depart the nation.