Moscow, on the other hand, said that the main topics of discussion during Kabulov’s trip on Tuesday were the further development of diverse bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields, and the establishment of regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format…reports Asian Lite News
Zamir Kabulov, the Russian President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, travelled to Kabul to hold meetings with the interim senior leadership of Afghanistan, including Deputy Prime Minister of Afghanistan Abdul Kabir, Foreign Affairs Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Acting Minister of Interior Affairs, Sirajuddin Haqqani.
“The meeting focused on bilateral relations between both the countries. Regional political and security issues were also discussed,” said the Afghan Interior Ministry in a statement.
Moscow, on the other hand, said that the main topics of discussion during Kabulov’s trip on Tuesday were the further development of diverse bilateral cooperation in the political and economic fields, and the establishment of regional cooperation with Afghanistan within the Moscow format.
“The responsibility of the US and its allies for the negative consequences of a 20-year stay in Afghanistan is emphasised. The need was emphasised for the immediate and unconditional ‘unfreezing’ of the country’s national assets with their transfer to the disposal of the Central Bank of Afghanistan, as well as the lifting of all illegitimate unilateral sanctions against this state,” stated the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, the local media in Kabul reported that, during the meeting with Kabulov, Kabir advocated for the Taliban to be granted Afghanistan’s representative seat at the United Nations and also opposed the appointment of a UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan.
In December, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution requesting the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy for Afghanistan, provided with robust expertise on human rights and gender, as it also stressed the critical importance of a continued presence of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
During a Security Council open debate on protecting women against sexual violence in conflict held on Tuesday, representatives of many member states voiced their concern over the “systematic assault” on women destroying lives and livelihoods in Afghanistan and called for a “speedy appointment” of the UN Special Envoy to support the implementation of the independent assessment’s recommendations.
The UN agency stated that the situation is getting “worse” in Afghanistan due to the increase in malnutrition. One of the main causes of the rise in malnutrition in Afghanistan has reportedly due to the decrease in humanitarian supplies to the nation…reports Asian Lite News
An estimated 15.8 million people in war-ravaged Afghanistan will experience crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity in 2024, said a United Nations (UN) report released on Thursday.
According to the 2023 UN Afghanistan Annual Results Report, the majority of Afghanistan’s population is unable to procure basic needs such as healthcare, food, livelihood and housing, Xinhua news agency reported.
“As 2023 began, families across Afghanistan continued to struggle to feed their children. Nine out of 10 people were not consuming an adequate amount of food, the cost of which absorbed an overwhelming 89 per cent of household incomes,” it said.
According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Afghanistan ranked 114th among 125 countries with sufficient data to calculate the index scores.
War-torn Afghanistan with a population of about 40 million has been facing poverty and economic hardships since the withdrawal of US-led forces in August 2021.
Meanwhile, the United Nations World Food Programme in Afghanistan has warned regarding the rise in malnutrition among women and children in the country, according to Khaama Press.
The report highlights that during the previous three years, the number of admissions for malnutrition in Kabul has tripled.
The UN agency stated that the situation is getting “worse” in Afghanistan due to the increase in malnutrition. One of the main causes of the rise in malnutrition in Afghanistan has reportedly due to the decrease in humanitarian supplies to the nation.
According to Mishro, a nurse at a malnutrition ward, the mental and psychological health of women has declined over the last two years, and the number of malnutrition cases in Afghanistan has been rising, Khaama Press reported.
She underlined that there is not enough room for these patients and that undernourished moms have contributed to their children’s malnourishment.
“For women who are malnourished, the situation is not good in 50 per cent of cases,” she continued.
Meanwhile, World Food Programme has also highlighted the rise in the number of malnourished women in the nation.
This occurs at the same time that human rights organisations are becoming increasingly concerned about Afghanistan’s rising rates of poverty and malnutrition, particularly among women.
Afghan people have been leaving their homes because of poverty, insecurity and conflicts in the country.
Moreover, Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Taliban leaders have also disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs. (ANI)
According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Afghanistan ranked 114th among 125 countries with sufficient data to calculate the index scores…reports Asian Lite News
An estimated 15.8 million people in war-ravaged Afghanistan will experience crisis and emergency levels of food insecurity in 2024, said a United Nations (UN) report released on Thursday.
According to the 2023 UN Afghanistan Annual Results Report, the majority of Afghanistan’s population is unable to procure basic needs such as healthcare, food, livelihood and housing, Xinhua news agency reported.
“As 2023 began, families across Afghanistan continued to struggle to feed their children. Nine out of 10 people were not consuming an adequate amount of food, the cost of which absorbed an overwhelming 89 per cent of household incomes,” it said.
According to the 2023 Global Hunger Index, Afghanistan ranked 114th among 125 countries with sufficient data to calculate the index scores.
War-torn Afghanistan with a population of about 40 million has been facing poverty and economic hardships since the withdrawal of US-led forces in August 2021.
Photo taken on Jan. 18, 2022 shows damaged mud houses after an earthquake in Qadis district of Afghanistan's western province of Badghis. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua/IANS)
Humanitarian activities in this province are ongoing, according to the UN’s Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Office, but immediate action is required….reports Asian Lite News
The United Nations Coordination Office for Humanitarian Assistance has announced that 24,800 Herati families impacted by the earthquake are residing in makeshift shelters like tents, reported Khaama Press.
In a statement posted on its social media site X, the UN-affiliated organisation stressed that the families residing in Herat, and who are severely impacted by the disaster should not be forgotten, and must be helped with basic amenities.
Citing the UN office’s records, Khaama Press reported that the earthquakes in Herat impacted 2,75,000 people and destroyed 40,000 houses.
Humanitarian activities in this province are ongoing, according to the UN’s Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Office, but immediate action is required.
In the consecutive earthquakes in Herat, hundreds of people, especially children and women, have lost their lives.
Earthquake survivors in this province are still in need of assistance six months after the deadly earthquakes that rattled the Afghan province, but because of the Taliban’s control, international nations are reluctant to actively support those in need, reported Khaama Press.
The Red Cross Committee had earlier stressed the critical need for secure and warm accommodation for earthquake victims in Herat.
However, some Herat locals claim that the Taliban and UN agencies have not sufficiently reported on the aid that other nations and international organisations have given to the earthquake victims in Herat.
280 schools damaged
Recent seismic activity in Herat has left a devastating mark on the province’s education infrastructure, with over 280 schools reported damaged by the earthquakes that struck in recent months, TOLO News reported.
The Herat Education Department confirms that many of these educational facilities are now rendered unusable, highlighting the urgent need for reconstruction efforts.
Rahmatullah Jabir, head of the Herat Education Department, provided insight into the ongoing challenges, stating that international organisations and the government have already stepped in to rebuild more than eighty schools in earthquake-affected villages. However, the task ahead remains daunting as approximately 400 schools require repair, with a staggering 286 schools forced to close their doors due to the seismic aftermath, according to TOLO News.
The impact of the earthquakes has been acutely felt by students and teachers alike. Most classrooms suffered severe damage during the tremors, leading to the suspension of teaching activities amidst fears of structural collapse.
Marwa Nouri, a student, expressed the prevailing anxiety among her peers, stating, “When we go into the classroom, we are very afraid that something might fall on us, and our school is completely destroyed, so we are unable to study.”
Ayesha Qasemi echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the urgent need for school reconstruction: “Our school should be repaired so that we can continue our studies and our school is not broken.”
Teachers also underscored the adverse effects of the damaged infrastructure on the learning environment. Mohammad Ismail Firouz highlighted the importance of a conducive setting for effective education, noting, “If children are constantly worried that the classroom might collapse, proper education cannot take place.”
Moreover, Ahmad Farhad Rafahi pointed out the reluctance of parents to send their children to school amidst safety concerns, adding to the educational disruption caused by the earthquakes.
Despite these challenges, the Herat Education Department reports that over 1,400 schools are currently operational in the province. However, many of these institutions lack adequate buildings, leaving students exposed to harsh weather conditions as they continue their education under makeshift arrangements such as tents or open spaces, TOLO News reported. (ANI)
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) distributed newsletters expressing their concerns and calling on the de facto regime to reverse this decision…reports Asian Lite News
Amid the recently surfaced reports of restriction of Facebook in Afghanistan, the ‘Committee to Protect Journalists’ based in the United States called on the Taliban government to reverse this decision, according to Khaama Press.
On Tuesday, in response to reports of Afghanistan’s ban on Facebook, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) distributed newsletters expressing their concerns and calling on the de facto regime to reverse this decision.
According to the agency, Afghanistan’s Facebook ban creates barriers to the free movement of information.
The Committee to Protect Journalists’ response follows earlier announcement made to TOLONews by Najibullah Haqqani, the acting minister for Telecommunications and Information Technology, that the ministry’s strategy to restrict or block Facebook in Afghanistan, reported Khaama Press.
Haqqani justified the restriction, saying that the purpose of this policy was to stop young people from wasting their time and money and to stop the spread of ‘immoral’ ideas.
Facebook is still more popular among Afghan citizens than other social networks. However it is unclear how many of them use it at the moment.
The game PUBG, as well as video sharing social networking service, TikTok were previously banned by the Taliban’s Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology.
UN ‘special representative’
Amid Taliban’s opposition to the move, the United Nations Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said that the process of appointing a special representative for Afghanistan is underway, according to Khaama Press.
In response to questions from journalists regarding when the UN will appoint a special envoy for Afghanistan, Dujarric stated on Monday at a press briefing that information will be provided if progress is made in this regard.
He said there is no set date for the UN special envoy for Afghanistan to be appointed.
Notably, the nomination of a special envoy has been the subject of months of debate inside the UN.
The Taliban regime opposes the appointment of a new special representative for Afghanistan and believes that with the presence of UNAMA, this is an unnecessary move, reported Khaama Press.
The Taliban regime is supported by a number of nations that are against the nomination of a new UN special representative for Afghanistan, including Russia and Iran.
Efforts failed to produce results during the second Doha summit which took place in Qatar in February this year.
It was attended by special envoys of various nations and was followed by a UN Security Council meeting where the appointment of a special representative for Afghanistan was a significant item on their agenda. (ANI)
The bank has declared that no company or individual has received a licence to engage in online money exchange…reports Asian Lite News
At a time when Afghanistan is reeling under a poor economy, the Central bank under Taliban control has announced that it has not issued any licences for online currency exchange activities, thus declaring it ‘illegal’, according to Khaama Press.
The bank has declared that no company or individual has received a licence to engage in online money exchange and that any such activity is ‘prohibited.’
The prohibition of online currency exchanges has been put in place under the Taliban’s supervisory and security administration, according to Khaama Press.
The central bank, under Taliban control, has stated that in the event of the arrest of individuals and companies engaging in online transactions, it will take “legal action.”
The bank has issued an alert advising people and businesses not to deal with online currency exchanges.
The bank’s announcement states: “We urge citizens to refrain from engaging in online currency exchange activities considering the risks, damages, and subsequent liabilities of these transactions.”
Earlier, the central bank under Taliban control had declared online trade with foreign currencies in Afghanistan illegal.
Many individuals are turning to internet trade and hoarding digital currencies as a result of the Taliban taking back control of Afghanistan and the escalating economic instability.
Since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan, there has been a noticeable shift towards online and digital transactions. However, this transition has also led to an increase in the risks of fraud and deceit. (ANI)
According to the UNHCR report, 4.8 million Afghan migrants and 2.5 million members of their host communities will be assisted in 2024….reports Asian Lite News
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office in South Asia has said that it requires USD 620 million to safeguard and assist Afghan migrants in Iran and Pakistan, reported Khaama Press.
In a post on social media platform X, the organisation stated that the situation in Afghanistan and its bordering countries will be challenging in 2024.
According to the UNHCR report, 4.8 million Afghan migrants and 2.5 million members of their host communities will be assisted in 2024.
Citing UNHCR, Khaama Press reported that in addition to the deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan to Afghanistan, the country’s circumstances got worse in 2022 and 2023 due to fatal earthquakes, catastrophic natural disasters, and the climate change problem.
The UNHCR has characterised the state of human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls as well as religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan, as grave, citing the urgent need for humanitarian aid for 23.7 million people to survive.
According to the report, Iran and Pakistan host around 7.7 million Afghan citizens, approximately 1.6 million of whom were depoted to Afghanistan since 2021.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International and some human rights organizations have expressed concern about the continuation of the process of expelling Afghan migrants from Pakistan and demanded a halt to this trend.
“The plan to repatriate undocumented foreign nationals in Pakistan violates the rights of refugees and international human rights law, especially the principle of non-refoulement, endangering the lives of all Afghan refugees, especially women, girls, journalists, and human rights defenders, Khaama Press, quoted Amnesty International official as saying.
Over half a million migrants have been forcibly deported back to Afghanistan since November 2023.
However, they are facing several challenges amid a dire humanitarian crisis. Many returnees are struggling with the lack of basic amenities such as shelter, food, and healthcare, exacerbating their already precarious situation. (ANI)
Pakistan reportedly plans to begin the second phase of its expulsion of Afghan migrants from April 10 after having driven 5,35,000 of them out of the nation since November last year….reports Asian Lite News
Taliban’s acting minister of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs has urged Pakistan to resolve the Afghan migrants’ issue within the framework of bilateral understanding, Khaama Press reported on Friday.
Pakistan reportedly plans to begin the second phase of its expulsion of Afghan migrants from April 10 after having driven 5,35,000 of them out of the nation since November last year.
According to the newsletter of the Afghan-Taliban Ministry of Migrants, Abdul Rahman Rashid, a deputy of this ministry, raised this request on Thursday in a meeting with Junaid Waziri, the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistani Embassy in Kabul.
Diplomats from Pakistan have been informed by Rashid that decisions pertaining to immigration are bilateral in nature and should be decided in accordance with the two nations’ mutual agreement.
At a recent iftar event held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul, which was attended by ambassadors and representatives of various nations, Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime Minister of the Taliban, declared that over a million Afghan migrants had been forcibly and voluntarily removed from neighbouring countries.
Recently, Amnesty International has called for an ‘immediate cancellation’ of a plan to expel the Afghan migrants from Pakistan and stated that it violates international human rights laws.
The plan of expulsion of Afghan refugees, according to a statement made by one of the organization’s activists for refugees and migrants, breaches international human rights laws, international refugee laws, and all international conventions.
“The Pakistan authorities’ callous disregard for the persecution, serious human rights violations and humanitarian catastrophe that await Afghan refugees if deported to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is heart-breaking. Instead of heeding repeated global calls to halt deportations, the newly elected Pakistani government has disappointingly now extended the deportation drive to Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders as well,” said James Jennion, according to TOLOnews.
Afghan migrants in Pakistan are concerned about their unclear future as the second wave of expulsion of Afghan migrants is about to begin in the country.
They object to the Pakistani police detaining and abusing Afghan migrants.
The first phase of expelling undocumented Afghan migrants from Pakistan began in November 2023, whereas the second phase, under the name of the ‘repatriation plan’ which also includes those holding citizenship cards, is set to start on April 10.
Human rights organisations and Afghanistan both criticised the action, but the government stood its own and insisted that it was not directed at any one ethnic community. (ANI)
Amnesty slams Pakistan over deportation
Pakistan’s recent announcement of deporting all Afghan refugees back to their homeland of Afghanistan after the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr will affect the Afghan refugees living in Pakistan despite having the required Pakistani citizenship, a report by Amnesty International said on Thursday.
Reacting to the announcement of the newly elected government James Jennion, Campaigner for the Refugee and Migrants’ Rights at Amnesty International, said, “The Pakistan authorities’ callous disregard for the persecution, serious human rights violations and humanitarian catastrophe that await Afghan refugees if deported to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is heart-breaking. Instead of heeding repeated global calls to halt deportations, the newly-elected Pakistani government has disappointingly now extended the deportation drive to Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders as well,” the same report also said.
Jennion also mentioned that this decision will affect the lives of over 8,00,000 Afghan refugees across Pakistan and expose these Afghans to another wave of harassment and struggle.
“Pakistan’s ‘Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan’ is in violation of refugee and international human rights law, particularly the principle of non-refoulement, and puts the lives of all Afghan refugees at risk, particularly women, girls, journalists, human rights defenders, women protestors, artists, and former Afghan government and security officials. The Government’s decision also lacks transparency and arbitrarily cancels the validity of the ACC documentation that was issued by the Government of Pakistan itself,” he also said.
“We call on the Pakistani authorities to immediately reverse these decisions and urgently pass human rights-compliant law protecting the rights of refugees in the country and become a state party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees along with its Protocols.”, he added.
In October last year, the Pakistani administration had announced ‘Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan’ which stated that all Afghan refugees must leave Pakistan within 30 days, or will be forced to leave the country after the deadline.
The Amnesty International report mentioned that it has documented a complete lack of transparency, due process and accountability in the detentions and unlawful deportations of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, which was exacerbated by increased harassment and hostility towards them.
Further, referring to the second phase of Pakistan’s deportation plan the same report mentioned that in phase 2 of the ‘repatriation plan’, Pakistan-issued Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders will be expelled from the country after the Eid Al-Fitr festival, a major Muslim holiday expected to fall on April 10, 2024 in the region. Phase 3 is expected to result in the forced and unlawful deportation of UNHCR-issued Proof of Registration (PoR) card holders.
According to the Amnesty International report, Pakistan since September 2023 has deported 5,27,981 refugees to Afghanistan. The government states that there are over 8,00,000 ACC holders, while UNHCR estimates there are 1.3 million PoR holders in Pakistan.
Amnesty International has repeatedly urged the government to reverse its decision to deport Afghan refugees, most recently in its ten-point Human Rights Charter for the newly elected government in Pakistan, the report mentioned. (ANI)
Mujahid also said that in other countries, if Afghan nationals violate the law, they will definitely be arrested…reports Asian Lite News
Afghan caretaker government’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has confirmed the detention of two US nationals in Afghanistan, local media said.
“A number of foreign nationals, including two US nationals, have been held in Afghanistan and the reason for their imprisonment is a violation of Afghanistan’s laws,” Afghanistan National Radio and Television quoted Mujahid on Sunday as saying.
Without providing more details, the official noted that anyone who obtains an Afghan visa and enters the country is obliged to respect the law of the land, Xinhua news agency reported.
Mujahid also said that in other countries, if Afghan nationals violate the law, they will definitely be arrested.
The Afghan administration’s spokesman made the remarks amid reports that some in the US have been asking President Joe Biden to ensure the release of Americans held in Afghanistan and bring them back to their homeland.
Afghan students are seen in a university in Herat city, Herat province, Afghanistan, Feb. 26, 2022. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua/IANS)
Concerns are also voiced by university professors, who fear that the continued closure of universities to girls will hinder the country’s progress…reports Asian Lite News
Despite over 450 days passing, universities in Afghanistan remain closed to girls, with no signs of reopening on the horizon, TOLO News reported.
Expressing their frustration, female students highlight the significant delay in their academic progress, urging the Talibani caretaker government to prioritise the reopening of universities this year.
Khadijah, speaking on behalf of many, emphasises, “The education of girls holds immense importance; it reflects the literacy and development of entire families. Neglecting it jeopardises the education and advancement of society as a whole,” as reported by TOLO News.
Echoing these sentiments, Narow pleads, “We implore authorities to unlock the doors of schools and universities for girls, as their education is crucial for building a strong and progressive society.”
Concerns are also voiced by university professors, who fear that the continued closure of universities to girls will hinder the country’s progress.
Zakiullah Mohammadi, a respected academic, asserted, “Ensuring equal access to education is fundamental for effective governance and societal advancement.”
Former President Hamid Karzai, during discussions with the Norwegian charge d’affaires, underscored the urgency of reopening educational institutions for girls.
Despite the lack of new announcements from the Taliban regarding the reopening, previous assurances from the caretaker government regarding girls’ right to education are remembered.
Since the Taliban’s return to power, schools have barred girls beyond the sixth grade, and now, over a year later, female students find themselves denied access to university education as well, TOLO News reported.
‘Stop excuses, open schools for girls’
Earlier, Amnesty International, an NGO for human rights, had demanded the Taliban authorities to immediately reopen all girls’ schools across Afghanistan.
It has also urged the Taliban to refrain from using “empty excuses” to continue the ban on girls’ education.
The organisation stated that the Taliban’s reasons for banning girls’ education are “empty excuses for further discrimination in Afghanistan.”
The organisation said on social media platform X on Wednesday that it had surveyed the opinions of Afghan girls on the ban on education beyond the sixth grade. One girl said, “Her dreams are shattered.” Another student told the organisation that “she has lost all hope.”
The Taliban has stated that the conditions they envision for reopening schools and universities are “not suitable for all girls.” Taliban officials, close to three years into their return to power, have remained silent or made ambiguous statements about the reopening of the schools and universities for girls, as reported by Khaama Press.
But, the critics argue that depriving girls of education is part of the Taliban’s policies to isolate women and severely restrict their rights. They say that the Taliban has imposed “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan.
As the Taliban solidifies its control over Afghanistan, the humanitarian crisis in the country has worsened. With infrastructure crumbling and essential services disrupted, millions are at risk of starvation and disease. Humanitarian organizations struggle to provide aid amidst security concerns and logistical challenges.
The ban on girls’ schools since the Taliban takeover has led to a generation of girls deprived of education, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.
The denial of education not only stifles individual opportunities but also hampers the nation’s socio-economic development, exacerbating its already dire circumstances. International pressure mounts for the Taliban to reverse its discriminatory policies and ensure equal access to education for all Afghan children, Khaama Press reported. (ANI)
