published by: Kavya Mishra
Last update: May 01, 2023, 11:27 p.m. HST
António Guterres arrived in Doha on Monday to host the two-day meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan. (Image: Reuters file)
Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously condemned the Taliban’s decision to ban Afghan women from working for the United Nations in Afghanistan.
India is taking part in the meeting convened in Doha by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Afghanistan, which brings together special envoys from various countries and aims to reach a common understanding on how to engage with the Taliban.
António Guterres arrived in Doha on Monday to host the two-day meeting of special envoys on Afghanistan to reach common ground on key issues, such as human rights, in particular the rights of women and children. girls, inclusive governance, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking.
“The meeting aims to reach a common understanding within the international community on how to engage with the Taliban on these issues,” said a note released by the secretary-general’s office here.
The note adds that India is among the countries and organizations participating in the meeting.
Other participants in the meeting are from China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Norway, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, UNITED STATES. , Uzbekistan, European Union and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Last week, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the secretary-general, said that Guterres had not extended an invitation to the Taliban for the Doha meeting.
Last month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India viewed the Doha meeting “positively” and would agree to attend the meeting, which will be held on May 1-2, closer to the date.
“I think we’re looking at it. We are looking at it positively but I guess we will take a call closer to the time but we are looking at it,” Jaishankar had said in response to a question about India’s participation in the meeting hosted by the UN Chief with special envoys for Afghanistan from various countries.
Jaishankar had met Guterres at UN headquarters last month and discussed the situation in Sudan before heading to South America for a nine-day trip to Guyana, Panama, Colombia and the Dominican Republic.
Last week, the UN Security Council unanimously condemned the Taliban’s decision to ban Afghan women from working for the UN in Afghanistan, calling on the de facto authorities to ‘quickly reverse’ policies and practices that prevent women and girls from exercising their human rights. rights.
The resolution also called for the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
It also calls on the Taliban to “promptly reverse policies and practices that restrict the enjoyment by women and girls of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including in relation to their access to education, employment, freedom of movement and full, equal and meaningful participation in public life.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)
