UN Security Council to hold meeting on Afghanistan

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has announced plans to hold a meeting on Afghanistan this December, amid growing concerns over human rights violations and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. While an exact date for the session has not been confirmed, the UNSC has indicated it will take place this month.

According to the statement, the meeting will feature briefings by Rosa Otunbayeva, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Andrés Montalvo Sosa, Ecuador's ambassador to the UN and chair of the Afghanistan Sanctions Committee, and a representative from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Additionally, a representative from Afghan civil society is also set to participate, offering a platform for voices from within Afghanistan to be heard.

Following the initial briefings, discussions among council members will continue behind closed doors, focusing on the situation in Afghanistan, potential actions against the Taliban, and strategies for managing the crisis.

The announcement comes as international human rights organizations and Afghan activists have increasingly criticized the global community for its perceived inaction regarding the Taliban's restrictive policies, particularly those targeting women and minorities. Calls for decisive measures against the group have intensified in recent weeks, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

This upcoming session could provide an opportunity for the UNSC to address these concerns and evaluate practical steps, including sanctions and humanitarian support, to alleviate the crisis and pressure the Taliban regime.