UN Urges Taliban to Reverse Repressive Policies, Ensure Rights

Adopting a resolution on Afghanistan, the UN General Assembly raised alarm over the “grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression” of all women and girls in the country.

The UN General Assembly on Monday overwhelmingly adopted a resolution expressing deep concern over Afghanistan’s deteriorating humanitarian, economic, and human rights conditions, urging the Taliban to reverse repressive policies and ensure inclusive governance.

Adopted with 116 votes in favour, 12 abstentions, and 2 against (Israel and the United States), the resolution highlighted the multifaceted crises confronting Afghanistan nearly four years after the Taliban’s return to power. It called for greater international support for the Afghan people and a renewed push for human rights, peace, and stability.

It emphasised the need for a coherent approach among humanitarian, political, and development actors and raised alarm over the “grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression” of all women and girls in Afghanistan. It called on the Taliban to swiftly reverse policies excluding them from education, employment, and public life.

The text further called for adherence to Afghanistan’s obligations under international law, including human rights and humanitarian principles.

The 193-member General Assembly reiterated its “serious concern” over continuing violence and the presence of terrorist groups such as Al-Qaida, Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh), and their affiliates ISIL-Khorasan and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. It “demanded” that Afghanistan not be used as a safe haven for terrorist activity.

Beyond security, the resolution stressed Afghanistan’s severe economic collapse, widespread poverty, and spiralling humanitarian crisis. It urged Member States and donors to scale up principled, sustained assistance.

It also highlighted the growing threat of natural disasters such as floods and droughts, which worsen food insecurity and economic fragility.

“Sustainable and lasting peace can be achieved only through long-term social, economic, and political stability, which requires full respect for civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights, as well as commitment to inclusive and representative governance,” the resolution stated.

The resolution comes at a time of intensified strain on Afghanistan’s overstretched humanitarian system.

According to UN agencies, waves of returns from Pakistan and Iran—including both refugees and those in refugee-like situations—have increased pressure on services, especially in border provinces ill-equipped to absorb new arrivals.

These returns, many of them involuntary or under duress, have heightened protection risks and left thousands of families in urgent need of food, shelter, and basic services.

The 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Afghanistan – which seeks $2.4 billion to assist nearly 17 million people – is only 22 per cent funded as of early July, raising concerns among aid officials about maintaining life-saving programmes in the months ahead.

The resolution called on all donors and stakeholders to “reconsider any decisions that may lead to reductions in such assistance, taking into account the potential adverse humanitarian consequences for the most vulnerable populations.”

The Assembly also reiterated concern over the lack of political inclusion since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021.

It raised alarm over extrajudicial punishments, including reprisals and summary executions, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions—particularly those targeting former security personnel.

While the Assembly acknowledged the Taliban’s limited steps to reduce opium cultivation, it stressed the need for comprehensive counter-narcotics measures and efforts to combat organised crime and illicit arms trafficking.

The resolution expressed appreciation to major refugee-hosting countries—particularly Pakistan and Iran—and called for more equitable burden-sharing and international cooperation to support displaced Afghans and the communities hosting them.

It underlined the importance of creating conditions for the safe, dignified, and voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons, as well as their sustainable reintegration.