Iran Renews Calls for Formation of Inclusive Afghan Government

Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on the “Situation in Afghanistan”, held in New York on Tuesday, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN Zahra Ershadi said only a government comprised of all Afghans can guarantee and protect their rights in Afghanistan.

What follows is the text of her speech:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Madam President,

I thank you for convening the meeting. I also thank the briefers for their insightful briefings as well as updates on the recent developments in Afghanistan.

Over a year after the Taliban took over, the situation in Afghanistan remains challenging.

According to the recent UN report, Afghanistan is dealing with a rising humanitarian crisis, a major economic downturn, challenges associated with the establishment of an inclusive government, and women and girls being denied their basic rights, including access to education.

Given the dire circumstances, I would like to emphasize the following points:

1. The international community must continue to assist Afghanistan. Other conflicts must not divert attention away from or ignore the situation in Afghanistan. While humanitarian and development assistance is critical to keeping Afghans alive, maintaining basic services, and bolstering the economy, they are not long-term solutions and must be supplemented by sustained economic growth.

2. As we have constantly stated, the frozen assets belong to the Afghan people and must be returned in full, without being politicized or conditional in any way. Sanctions imposed on specific individuals and entities in Afghanistan must also not obstruct humanitarian, economic, or development cooperation with Afghanistan. The sanctions should not have an impact on efforts to revitalize the Afghan economy, as the Secretary-General has repeatedly called for measures to give the Afghan economy breathing room.

3. Afghanistan is a member of the international community, and the de-facto authorities must acknowledge this fact and fulfill their international obligations, particularly the repeated calls for the formation of an inclusive and representative government that accurately reflects Afghan’s multi-ethnic society. Only a government comprised of all Afghans can guarantee and protect their rights.

4. Terrorism and the emergence of terrorist groups pose another serious threat to Afghanistan, its neighbors, the region, and the international community. The reports on the resurgence of Daesh-affiliated terrorist groups are concerning, especially in light of the recent terrorist attacks claimed by ISKP on 5 September outside Russia's embassy in Kabul, which resulted in the deaths of at least six people, including two Russian Embassy employees, and injured several more. The de-facto authorities must commit to fighting terrorism and ensure to take all appropriate steps to protect diplomatic and consular premises against any intrusion or damage and prevent attacks on diplomatic premises, agents, and consular officers. Afghanistan must no longer serve as a haven for terrorist groups like Daesh and Al-Qaeda.

5. Equally critical, efforts to combat drug trafficking must be a priority. Every year, Iran is directly affected by this menace and pays a high price for it. Over the past 40 years, Iran has played an active role in combating drug trafficking in the region, in which, nearly 4,000 members of Iran’s law enforcement forces have been martyred and over 12,000 others have been injured.

6. As a neighbor to Afghanistan, Iran has used its capacities and resources to help the people of Afghanistan overcome the challenges they have faced. We have been hosting millions of refugees who have unfortunately received minimal international assistance in the last 40 years. After the Taliban take over, we never closed our border with Afghanistan. Since last year, thousands of Afghans have entered Iran on a daily basis. However, neighbors of Afghanistan, including Iran, should not feel all the burdens associated with receiving Afghan refugees. Other countries should welcome refugees as well.

7. We welcome Ms. Roza Otunbayeva, on her recent appointment as the Special Representative the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, and Head of UNAMA. We continue our support to UNAMA in its efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and facilitate the intra-Afghan political process to promote peace and stability in the country.

8. The Islamic Republic of Iran continues its efforts to assist the people of Afghanistan and work with Afghanistan’s neighbors and other partners to ensure durable peace and sustainable development in Afghanistan.

I thank you, Madame. President.