Kabul : Afghanistan has been deprived of its voting rights at the United Nations for the third consecutive year.
Some political analysts warn that the continuation of this situation could isolate the country from global processes.
Sayed Hossein Seraj, an international relations expert, said: “When we have neither the right to vote nor a seat, we cannot express our views or raise our voices. A platform must be provided, and the right to vote must also be granted but to whoever holds authority in Afghanistan.”
Afghanistan has been a UN member since 1946. However, under Article 19 of the UN Charter, any country that fails to pay its annual membership dues for two years or more loses its right to vote in the General Assembly.
Afghanistan’s annual contribution is around $200,000. But in recent years, this amount has not been paid, and the country’s debt has now exceeded $900,000.
Torialai Zazai, a political affairs analyst, said: “In this matter, it is the world countries and the United Nations that are at fault they do not recognize Afghanistan, yet they still demand their money.”
International relations experts argue that Afghanistan’s loss of voting rights is not merely a technical issue in the UN’s administrative process, but rather signifies the diminishing role of the country in global diplomacy.
While the world body makes decisions on humanitarian crises, international security, and sustainable development, Afghanistan’s lack of voting rights leaves its people — already facing poverty, migration, and social restrictions feeling even more voiceless.
Bilal Omar, an international relations expert, said: “Recognition of Afghanistan is the key that opens the way for the country to join international organizations and institutions. Until these prerequisites are fulfilled and Afghanistan is accepted, I don’t think many countries will recognize it.”
On the other hand, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly emphasized that without official recognition and possession of Afghanistan’s UN seat, it is unable to directly pay the membership dues.
For this reason, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly called for the transfer of the seat from the representative of the former government to its current representative.
