HRW wants restrictions on humanitarian operations lifted

KABUL (Pajhwok): An influential rights organisation has urged special envoys on Afghanistan from UN member states to discuss ways of addressing restrictions on humanitarian operations in Afghanistan.

The special envoys on Afghanistan are scheduled to meet in Doha on May 1 and 2 after a week of confused messaging from the UN that could affect assistance to Afghans in need of aid.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) referred to UN warnings of possible dire consequences of the ban on its female Afghan staff.

“Surely, there is a solution between the threat of total UN withdrawal and the dangled carrot of recognition. And it seems the special envoys are expected to find it,” the HRW associate Asia director said.

Patricia Gossman regretted divisions among the special envoys on approaches to the Taliban reflected differences on the UN Security Council on the issue.

As China, Russia and Japan want the UN to focus on aid and Afghanistan’s economic crisis, the US, the IK and France have pressed the Taliban to respect human rights.

In March, the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. Then it approved a second resolution seeking an integrated approach to address the current challenges

In a statement, Patricia Gossman asked the special envoys to maintain a firm line that only a reversal of the curbs on Afghan women and girls would open the door to further engagement.

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