UN Security Council to Hold Meeting on Afghanistan in September, Focusing on Human Rights and Humanitarian Crisis

Kokcha News Agency: The UN Security Council is set to hold a meeting in September to address the worsening human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The meeting will feature a report by Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, along with speeches from a civil society representative and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The Security Council noted that the human rights situation in Afghanistan remains dire, especially for women and girls, citing recent detentions by the Taliban in Kabul. The latest report from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), published on August 10, highlights specific instances of human rights violations by the Taliban.

The Council also referenced a statement by independent human rights experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, who urged the international community to reject the Taliban’s authoritarian rule and resist efforts to normalize the regime. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, reported that the Taliban is using the Afghan judicial system as a tool to suppress women, girls, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

• Humanitarian Crisis: The Security Council emphasized that Afghanistan continues to face one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with 22.9 million people—more than half the population—expected to require humanitarian assistance this year. Food insecurity remains critical, with 12.6 million people facing acute or emergency levels of food insecurity from March to April 2025.
• Return of Migrants: The humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan are further complicated by the ongoing deportation of Afghans from neighboring countries. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 1.5 million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan in 2025, many of whom are at risk of abuse, torture, and other inhumane treatment.
• Taliban’s Isolation and Engagement Efforts: The Taliban has been making efforts to end its international isolation, including Russia’s recognition of the group and a recent meeting in Kabul between the foreign ministers of China, Pakistan, and the Taliban. The Security Council also noted that UNAMA and participants in the Doha process are working on a roadmap for political engagement with the Taliban, as recommended by an independent assessment of Afghanistan.
• Terrorism Threat: The Security Council highlighted the ongoing threat of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan, with members expressing differing views on how to achieve a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive Afghanistan free from terrorism.

International Response:
The Security Council reiterated that the Taliban’s refusal to adhere to Afghanistan’s international obligations, particularly regarding the rights of women and girls, remains a primary concern and directly contradicts the recommendations of the independent assessment. The Council also suggested that its members could hold informal meetings with representatives of the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and UNAMA to discuss potential steps in response to the Taliban’s actions.