Vietnam calls for civilian protection efforts in Afghanistan
The top priority in Afghanistan should be ending violence, protecting civilians, especially women and children, and ensuring security and safety of UN staff and representative agencies, foreign diplomatic staff, international organisations, and foreigners.
Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, Vietnam's Permanent Representative to the UN, made this statement at an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council held on August 16 following the Taliban capturing the Afghan capital of Kabul.
The Vietnamese diplomat expressed grave concern about the developing situation, which will not only have a negative impact on security and stability in the Central Asian country, but also the region as a whole, especially neighbouring nations.
Only a comprehensive political solution will be able to bring about a lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan, Ambassador Quy stated, adding that all parties must comply with international humanitarian and human rights laws. This should be done whilst conducting dialogues to stabilise the situation and promote national reconciliation.
The Vietnamese diplomat also called for international action in order to ramp up humanitarian relief efforts to prevent a humanitarian disaster occurring, while hailing the efforts of the UN and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
He also urged the international community, the UN, regional partners, and global actors to intensify their contribution to protecting civilians and stabilising the situation as it changes.
In his address, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern regarding the current unstable and chaotic situation in Afghanistan, especially violence, civilian casualties, and the developing humanitarian crisis.
He called on the Taliban to ensure full humanitarian access and security, along with safety for all people, UN staff, and diplomatic corps.
The UNSC and the international community must show solidarity and raise a common voice regarding the situation in Afghanistan, he said. Participants also stressed that any political solution to the current situation should ensure human rights, especially protecting women's rights.
During the meeting, the UNSC adopted a press statement calling for an immediate end to the use of force in Afghanistan, allowing the chance to ensure order and restore calm, whilst calling for the establishment of a unified government through dialogue.
UNSC members reaffirmed the importance of combating terrorism in the central Asian nation as a means of ensuring that Afghan territory is not be used to threaten or attack any other country.
