Afghan, UN say committed to engagement after morality law
Published: 04:09 PM,Sep 01,2024 | EDITED : 08:09 PM,Sep 01,2024
Afghan men ride motorcycles along a road in Kandahar. — AFP file photo
KABUL: A Taliban government spokesman has said the Afghan authorities were committed to engagement with the international community after a new morality law sparked tense exchanges over women's rights.
The United Nations and the European Union have warned that the law could damage prospects for engagement with foreign nations and international organisations.
Deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat was responding to comments by a spokesman for the UN secretary-general assuring continued engagement with the Taliban authorities after Afghanistan's morality ministry said it would no longer cooperate with the UN mission in the country, UNAMA, over criticism of the law.
Fitrat said the authorities were 'committed to positive interactions with all the countries and organisations in accordance with law', in a voice message to journalists on Saturday.
'Interaction is the only way to achieve solutions to problems and for the progression and expansion of relations,' he said, urging nations and organisations to engage positively with the Taliban authorities.
The spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, 'We will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban'.
'We have always done so following our mandate and I would say impartially and in good faith, always upholding the norms of the UN, pushing the messages of human rights and equality,' said Stephane Dujarric. 'We would urge the de facto authorities to, in fact, open more avenues for diplomatic engagement,' he added.
Earlier Friday, the morality ministry had said it would no longer cooperate with UNAMA over its criticisms of the 'Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice', which was ratified last week.
The law, which includes rules on many aspects of Afghans' lives according to the Taliban's strict interpretation of law, sparked concern among Afghans, various countries, human rights advocates, UN agencies and the EU.
UNAMA head Roza Otunbayeva said last week that the law offered 'a distressing vision for Afghanistan's future', adding that it could set back cooperation efforts, a warning echoed by the EU.
The Taliban government has consistently dismissed international criticism of its policies, including restrictions on women. — AFP
The United Nations and the European Union have warned that the law could damage prospects for engagement with foreign nations and international organisations.
Deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat was responding to comments by a spokesman for the UN secretary-general assuring continued engagement with the Taliban authorities after Afghanistan's morality ministry said it would no longer cooperate with the UN mission in the country, UNAMA, over criticism of the law.
Fitrat said the authorities were 'committed to positive interactions with all the countries and organisations in accordance with law', in a voice message to journalists on Saturday.
'Interaction is the only way to achieve solutions to problems and for the progression and expansion of relations,' he said, urging nations and organisations to engage positively with the Taliban authorities.
The spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, 'We will continue to engage with all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban'.
'We have always done so following our mandate and I would say impartially and in good faith, always upholding the norms of the UN, pushing the messages of human rights and equality,' said Stephane Dujarric. 'We would urge the de facto authorities to, in fact, open more avenues for diplomatic engagement,' he added.
Earlier Friday, the morality ministry had said it would no longer cooperate with UNAMA over its criticisms of the 'Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice', which was ratified last week.
The law, which includes rules on many aspects of Afghans' lives according to the Taliban's strict interpretation of law, sparked concern among Afghans, various countries, human rights advocates, UN agencies and the EU.
UNAMA head Roza Otunbayeva said last week that the law offered 'a distressing vision for Afghanistan's future', adding that it could set back cooperation efforts, a warning echoed by the EU.
The Taliban government has consistently dismissed international criticism of its policies, including restrictions on women. — AFP