Halt offensive immediately: UN chief to Taliban
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 in national community to thos the warpath must be clear: ing power through mili force is a losing proposit That can only lead to prolon civil war or to the complete lation of Afghanistan,” Gute said.
The UN chief said he is “deeply disturbed” by early i cations that the Taliban imposing severe restriction human rights in the areas u their control, particularly geting women and journali
“Only an Afghan-led ne ated political settlement ensure peace,” he said, ad that the UN is determine contribute to such a settlem promote the rights of Afghans and provide help to ever-increasing number of c ians in need.
Guterres said that in the month alone, over 1,000 pe have been killed or injured f indiscriminate attacks aga civilians, notably in Helm Kandahar and Herat provin