UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Security Council, which is divided, failed to reach an agreement on whether to extend travel exemptions for the 13 Taliban officials now ruling Afghanistan so they expire at midnight on Friday .
According to UN diplomats, Russia and China want all 13 to continue, while the US and Western countries want to reduce the number in protest against the Taliban's withdrawal of women's rights and failure to form an inclusive government as promised.
Russia and China requested more time on Friday evening to consider the latest US proposal, according to Security Council diplomats, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.
As a result, the travel ban on all 13 Taliban officials will remain in place until Monday afternoon, when Russia and China will now have to respond to the US offer.
Over the years, dozens of Taliban members have been on UN sanctions lists, subject to travel bans, asset freezes and arms embargoes. However, some Taliban officials were exempted from traveling to Afghanistan to participate in talks aimed at restoring peace and stability.
According to a report released last month by the United Nations Political Mission in Afghanistan, 700 people have been killed and 1,400 wounded since the Taliban took over Afghanistan on August 15, as US and NATO forces are in their final stages. Was. Chaotic return from the country after 20 years.
It emphasized how women have been denied many of their human rights, barred from secondary education, and subjected to movement restrictions.
In response to the Taliban's crackdown on women, the Security Council committee that oversees sanctions against the Taliban in June barred two Taliban officials from traveling: Ahmed Shaidkhel, the acting deputy education minister, and Abdul Baki Basir Awal Shah, also known as Abdul Baqi Basir Awal Shah. Also known as Baki Haqqani, said, Acting Higher Education Minister.
With the expiration of travel exemptions for the remaining 13 Taliban officials, the US on Thursday proposed reimposing the travel ban on seven of them while retaining exemptions for six others, but limiting their travel to Qatar, Where the US-Taliban talks have taken place. happened, according to council diplomats.
Russia and China proposed that all 13 Taliban officials be granted a 90-day travel exemption, according to diplomats, but only Russia, China, Qatar and "regional countries".
According to diplomats, Russia and China objected to the US proposal, and the United Kingdom, France and Ireland opposed the Russia-China proposal, arguing that exemptions for all 13 officials were needed by the Taliban to meet their commitments. cannot be extended due to failure. on women, forming an inclusive government, and other issues.
According to diplomats, the US on Friday afternoon amended its proposal, which would impose a travel ban for seven Taliban officials, while extending the travel exemption for six others to 90 days without any geographic restrictions.
This is the proposal that Russia and China are currently debating.
Anti-Taliban protests break out in Pakistan border areas
Afghanistan: A massive blast kills 30 people in a mosque in Kabul including a renowned cleric
US Govt halts talks with Taliban on freeing Afghan assets