Shaheen Stands Firm: UNAMA Suffices, No Need for Additional UN Representative
Suhail Shaheen, head of the Islamic Emirate’s political office in Doha, has reiterated his stance against the appointment of a special United Nations representative for Afghanistan, labeling it as an unnecessary measure. In response to Vanessa Frazier, the Permanent Representative of Malta and President of the Security Council, Shaheen emphasized that the presence of UNAMA renders the appointment redundant.
“We seek constructive engagement with the international community based on our own interests and principles,” Shaheen conveyed to TOLOnews. “Considering the existing United Nations representation through UNAMA, we fail to see the necessity for another representative.”
Vanessa Frazier had voiced her concerns during a recent press conference, highlighting the absence of progress regarding the appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan. She underscored the urgency of such an appointment to facilitate the normalization process outlined in ambassador Feridun’s review.
In addition to addressing the need for a special envoy, Frazier emphasized the imperative of addressing gender discrimination in Afghanistan, proposing its inclusion in the Convention on the Prevention of Crimes against Humanity. “Gender discrimination cannot persist in a country where half of the population is marginalized,” she asserted.
Meanwhile, political analyst Najibullah Jami underscored the importance of internal reforms, advocating for the reopening of schools and universities for girls, economic revitalization, constitutional drafting, and cabinet restructuring as pivotal steps toward addressing global concerns and potentially winning international approval.
The United Nations General Assembly recently convened the sixth committee session, engaging in discussions regarding reforms and amendments to the Convention on the Prevention of Crimes against Humanity. Notably, the criminalization of ‘gender apartheid’ was among the focal points of deliberation during the session.
