Russian Deputy UN Representative Emphasizes Continuing Sanctions Monitoring Team Contact with Taliban

Deputy Russian Representative to the United Nations Anna Yuvistegnieva stated during a UN Security Council meeting that communication between the sanctions monitoring team and the Taliban must continue, as stability in Afghanistan impacts the region and beyond.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved a resolution on Thursday, February 12, extending the mandate of the monitoring team on sanctions against the Taliban and entities threatening peace and security in Afghanistan for another year. All 15 council members voted in favor of renewing the 1988 sanctions regime, though exemptions from travel bans for some Taliban leaders were not extended. The draft was prepared by the United States.

Yuvistegnieva, whose country voted yes, criticized sections of the resolution, saying some countries seek to divert counter-terrorism efforts toward human rights issues, which she called 'harmful.' She affirmed Russia's consistent support for comprehensive cooperation between the international community and the Taliban on all key issues, stating there is no alternative. She also expressed support for the monitoring team's planned visit to Kabul and welcomed the resolution's retention of provisions on Daesh terrorist activities and the need to strengthen counter-threat efforts.

The Taliban has repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions, but ongoing terrorist activities on Afghan soil, discrimination against women, and the lack of an inclusive government prevented any review, according to the source.

In related context, the Independent Defenders of Lawyers Association in Exile stated on Thursday that the Taliban's recently published penal code principles, signed by leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, unilaterally cancel prior international commitments and violate core justice principles, including corporal punishments conflicting with the UN Convention Against Torture. The association urged governments and UN bodies to condemn it as a serious human rights violation.