US Representative Describes Taliban Governance as “Painful” at UN Security Council Meeting
Mike Waltz, the United States representative to the United Nations, described the four-year period of Taliban rule in Afghanistan as “difficult and painful” during a Security Council meeting on Monday, March 8. He said the Taliban administration’s actions, especially towards women, are unacceptable.
Waltz announced that restrictions on people’s access to basic services, ongoing human rights violations, and widespread pressure on women’s rights and freedoms have pushed Afghanistan into a humanitarian and economic crisis. According to him, these policies have deprived a large part of the population of their fundamental rights.
He also added that the Taliban administration has disrupted the work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) by preventing Afghan female staff from attending their offices. He described this move as a sign of bad faith in interacting with the international community and said doubts about the Taliban’s commitment to international obligations have increased.
The US representative warned that the continuation of international aid must be carefully reviewed, as the aid process will face serious challenges if female employees are barred from performing their duties and citizens’ basic rights are ignored.
He emphasized that the main priority of the United States is the protection of its citizens and the freedom of individuals who, according to him, have been wrongfully detained. Waltz concluded by stating that the people of Afghanistan deserve to enjoy their rights, human dignity, and equal opportunities, and that the Taliban administration must be held accountable for its responsibilities.
