Countries issue joint statement on worsening human rights in Afghanistan at UN Security Council

A joint statement by countries including Colombia, Denmark, France, UNAMA, Latvia, Liberia, Panama, and the United Kingdom, along with members of the Group of Friends of Women, Peace and Security, was presented at the UN Security Council on March 10, 2026, by Panama's permanent representative Alvaro de Alba. The statement declared that the human rights situation in Afghanistan has reached a more critical level, condemning the Taliban's systematic suppression of women and girls, including implementation of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice law. It criticized the Taliban's penal code for institutionalizing systematic discrimination against women and girls, weakening protections against gender-based violence, and allowing husbands to physically discipline wives and children, thereby fostering impunity and violating international human rights obligations.

The statement highlighted the ongoing exclusion of women and girls from public life, including bans on secondary and higher education—making Afghanistan the only country with such restrictions—access to health services, employment, mobility, and societal participation. It noted concerns over maternal health care, preventable deaths, and mental health impacts. The countries also condemned restrictions on civil society, media, and women working for UN and humanitarian organizations, calling these violations of UN Security Council Resolution 2681 (2023).

In the same UN Security Council session, members addressed escalating clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Russia's envoy Vassily Nebenzia expressed concern over intensified armed conflicts, urged dialogue, and emphasized counter-terrorism cooperation while monitoring Afghanistan's human rights, inclusive governance, education, and work rights. China's envoy Fu Cong called for restraint, ceasefire, and talks, noting heavy casualties and China's mediation efforts; he also demanded the return of frozen Afghan assets and lifting of unilateral sanctions. The UK's Baroness Smith voiced deep concern over rising tensions and called for immediate de-escalation through dialogue.

Pakistan's envoy Asim Iftikhar Ahmad warned that militant groups like Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, Islamic State Khorasan, and Al-Qaeda operate from safe havens in Afghanistan, threatening Pakistan, the region, and the world. He accused the Taliban of failing to protect human rights, form an inclusive government, or combat terrorism, citing 175 Pakistani civilian deaths last month and intensified border fighting with unverified casualties on both sides. Pakistan claimed its strikes target militant camps. The joint statement welcomed recent UN visits and reports, urged lifting restrictions, supported UNAMA's mandate extension, and called for progress in Doha talks under UN Resolution 2593 (2021).