PESHAWAR: Activist and Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday [16 August] expressed concern over the situation in Afghanistan.
“We watch in complete shock as Taliban takes control of Afghanistan,” Malala Yousafzai said that in a Twitter post. “I am deeply worried about women, minorities and human rights advocates.” She urged global, regional and local powers to work for an immediate ceasefire, provide urgent humanitarian support and protect refugees and civilians.
Earlier, the Taliban spokesperson Dr Muhammad Naeem said that the group respect women and minorities rights. He assured that the Taliban said women will be allowed to continue their education and work but they will have to wear hijab. The Taliban spokesman added that having achieved the goal of “liberating their country”, the Taliban are ready to talk to all Afghan leaders and guarantee their safety.
However, Afghans are not ready to blindly believe in the Taliban and are making every possible effort to escape the country. On Monday, at least five civilians were killed on Hamid Karzai airport as they tried to enter United States aircraft.
Similarly, the UN Secretary-General has said that reports of crimes against humanity have been received from Afghanistan. Mr Guterres urged the Taliban to stop violating the international humanitarian laws. He called on the Taliban and other parties to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid across Afghanistan. Secretary-General informed that the United Nations has no plan to evacuate its staff from the country and will continue providing humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan.
The UN mission in Afghanistan is known as UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) which is working in the country since 2002. Meanwhile the United Nations Security Council has called in emergency meeting to discuss the security situation in Afghanistan. A statement issued in this regard said that Mr Guterres will address the gathering.