By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – World body on Monday adopted a resolution with 116 votes in favor expressed deep concern over Afghanistan’s deteriorating humanitarian, economic and human rights conditions, urged the Taliban to reverse repressive policies and ensure inclusive governance.
The resolution was adopted with 116 votes in favour, 12 abstentions and 2 against (Israel and United States), with India abstained.
The resolution highlighted the multifaceted crises confronting Afghanistan nearly four years after the Taliban’s return to power, called for greater international support for the Afghan people and a renewed push for human rights, peace and stability.
It emphasized the need for a coherent approach among humanitarian, political and development actors, and raised alarm over the “grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression” of all women and girls in Afghanistan.
The resolution also called on the Taliban to swiftly reverse policies that exclude them from education, employment and public life.
The text called for adherence to Afghanistan’s obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian principles.
World body reiterated its “serious concern” over continuing violence and the presence of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and their affiliates ISIL-Khorasan and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, and “demanded” that Afghanistan not be used as a safe haven for terrorist activity.
The resolution stressed Afghanistan’s severe economic collapse, widespread poverty and spiraling humanitarian crisis, urged Member States and donors to scale up principled, sustained assistance, beyond security.
It highlighted the growing threat of natural disasters such as floods and droughts, which worsen food insecurity and economic fragility.
“Sustainable and lasting peace can be achieved only through long-term social, economic and political stability, which requires full respect for civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights as well as commitment to inclusive and representative governance,” the resolution stated.
The resolution came at a time of intensified strain on Afghanistan’s overstretched humanitarian system.
According to UN agencies, the afghans returning from Pakistan and Iran including both refugees and those in refugee-like situations have increased pressure on services, especially in border provinces ill-equipped to absorb new arrivals.
These returns, many of them involuntary or under duress, have heightened protection risks and left thousands of families in urgent need of food, shelter and basic services, UN agencies stated.
The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Afghanistan which seeks $2.4 billion to assist nearly 17 million people is only 22 per cent funded as of early July, raised concerns among aid officials about maintaining life-saving programs in the months ahead.
The resolution called on all donors and stakeholders to “reconsider any decisions that may lead to reductions in such assistance, taking into account the potential adverse humanitarian consequences for the most vulnerable populations.”
Member States also reiterated concern over the lack of political inclusion since the Taliban takeover in August 2021.
It raised alarm over extrajudicial punishments, such as reprisals and summary executions, enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions, including those targeting former members of the security personnel.
UNGA acknowledged the Taliban’s limited steps to reduce opium cultivation, it stressed the need for comprehensive counter-narcotics measures and efforts to combat organized crime and illicit arms trafficking.
The resolution expressed appreciation to major refugee-hosting countries particularly Pakistan and Iran – and called for more equitable burden-sharing and international cooperation to support displaced Afghans and the communities that host them.
It underlined the importance of creating conditions for the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as their sustainable reintegration.
