HALT OFFENSIVE IMMEDIATELY: UN CHIEF TO TALIBAN
UNITED NATIONS: Voicing concern that Afghanistan is “spinning out of control”, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called on the Taliban to immediately halt the offensive and asserted that seizing power through military force is a “losing proposition.” It can only lead to prolonged civil war, he said.
UNITED NATIONS: Voicing concern that Afghanistan is “spinning out of control”, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called on the Taliban to immediately halt the offensive and asserted that seizing power through military force is a “losing proposition.”
It can only lead to prolonged civil war and the complete isolation of the war-torn nation, he said.
“Even for a country that has tragically known generations of conflict, Afghanistan is in the throes of yet another chaotic and desperate chapter - an incredible tragedy for its longsuffering people,” Guterres said on Friday.
He asserted that directing attacks against civilians is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime, calling for perpetrators to be held accountable.
“The message from the international community to those on the warpath must be clear: seizing power through military force is a losing proposition. That can only lead to prolonged civil war or to the complete isolation of Afghanistan,” Guterres said.
The UN chief said he is also “deeply disturbed” by early indications that the Taliban are imposing severe restrictions on human rights in the areas under their control, particularly targeting women and journalists.
“Only an Afghan-led negotiated political settlement can ensure peace,” he said, adding that the UN is determined to contribute to such a settlement, promote the rights of all Afghans and provide help to the ever-increasing number of civilians in need.
Guterres said that in the last month alone, over 1,000 people have been killed or injured from indiscriminate attacks against civilians, notably in Helmand, Kandahar and Herat provinces.