Takeover of Taliban: The Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in August last year. (file)
United Nations:
The United States and Russia presented opposing views to the Security Council on Wednesday for the UN’s role in Afghanistan, with Washington calling for stronger support for human rights running contrary to Moscow’s wishes.
The United States underscored its “strong support” for human rights work, with the mandate of the United Nations Political Mission requiring renewal by March 17.
Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Anna Evstigneeva, however, said Moscow “does not agree that the human rights component of the mission should be strengthened.”
“We stand against linking the human rights situation with humanitarian and recovery aid,” she said.
The mission “should not become a kind of observer to serve the interests of those who are unwilling to help Afghans without preconditions,” she said.
For his part, US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Jeffrey DeLaurentis said the United States supports the mission’s human rights monitoring functions and humanitarian coordination role.
She also highlighted her child and civil defense and work to promote equal participation of women in “all aspects of public life”.
The United States additionally took a dig at Beijing, with DeLaurentis saying it was “a pity that China itself spends more time criticizing US actions than focusing on helping the Afghan people.” “
“China is the second largest contributor to the United Nations. What China has done to help the people of Afghanistan or contribute to regional security does not match that position,” he said.
At the start of the session, the UN envoy to Afghanistan, Deborah Lyon, asked the UN to join the Taliban without isolating them, which she said was the only way to bring about positive change.
“We believe, as the winter season comes to an end, that we have probably averted our worst fears of famine and widespread starvation,” she said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)