Iran Press/ America: An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale shook southeastern Afghanistan early Wednesday morning.
According to Taliban officials, the quake has killed at least 1,500 people and injured 2,000 others. The Taliban have said the death toll is likely to rise due to the severity of the damage.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran, as Afghanistan's neighbor, stands by the people of Afghanistan, even though Iran has already sent two consignments of humanitarian aid by air to the earthquake-stricken areas of Afghanistan," Takhte-Ravanchi told a UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.
The Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations also pointed to the developments and the importance of forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan and said: "The absolute need to form an inclusive government in Afghanistan that is the true representative of the country's multi-ethnic society is clear."
Iran urges Taliban to form an inclusive government
"The people of Afghanistan from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, especially the younger generation who will lead Afghanistan in the future, should be sure that they have a say in the affairs of their country," Takhte-Ravanchi added, noting, "Despite the constant international request, the Taliban have not yet been able to make significant efforts to ensure the government's genuine ethnic and political inclusion.
The Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations also referred to the UN Secretary-General's recent report on Afghanistan, stating that many of the Taliban's decisions undermined fundamental human rights, especially women and girls.
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Iran urges release of Afghanistan's frozen assets by US
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi, in a statement before the United Nations Security Council on "Situation in Afghanistan," said, "As we have repeatedly stated, Afghanistan's frozen assets belong to the Afghan people, and their release, which is crucial for helping the Afghan economy and saving lives, should not be politicized or conditional in any way."
Iran has provided aid to Afghanistan for over 40 years
"As a neighbor to Afghanistan, Iran has used its capacities and resources to help the people of Afghanistan overcome the challenges they have faced. We have been hosting millions of refugees who have unfortunately received minimal international assistance in the last 40 years. The latest example of our aid to Afghan refugees has been the extensive vaccination against Covid-19 of Afghans in Iran. Neighbors of Afghanistan, including Iran, should not feel all the burdens associated with receiving Afghan refugees. Other countries should welcome the refugees as well." The Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations said.
We support the United Nations' efforts to meet Afghanistan's expanding humanitarian needs, including the system-wide Transitional Engagement Framework to provide basic human needs.
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We emphasize the importance of the international community's continued engagement with Afghanistan, particularly in supporting the people's humanitarian and development needs. We urge the international community, particularly donor countries, to continue providing all possible and necessary assistance to the Afghan people. For our part, in the last months, he said Iran had provided more than 30 consignments of humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
Sanctions and freezing of Afghanistan assets affect ordinary Afghan people
As we have repeatedly stated, Afghanistan's frozen assets belong to the Afghan people, and their release, which is crucial for helping the Afghan economy and saving lives, should not be politicized or conditional in any way. We highlight the need for taking relevant actions, such as reopening channels of financial and in-kind support and resources to the Afghan people, exploring natural alternatives for unfreezing Afghanistan's financial assets, and improving access to legal banking services. Similarly, sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on specific individuals and entities in Afghanistan must not impede humanitarian, economic, or developmental cooperation with Afghanistan.
The risk of terror by terrorist groups in Afghanistan poses regional threats
Attacks claimed or attributed to Daesh, or its affiliated groups have recently increased and spread in Afghanistan. We are deeply concerned about such terrorist activities. This trend underlines the international community's continued demand that the Taliban commit to fighting terrorism and ensure that Afghanistan is no longer a haven for terrorist groups like Daesh and Al-Qaida that have been responsible for heinous acts of terror, not only in Afghanistan but throughout the region and beyond.
Majid Takht Ravanchi also noted: Equally critical, efforts to combat drug trafficking must be a priority. Iran is directly affected by this menace every year and pays a high price. We welcome the Taliban's decision to outlaw all drugs. However, given that the Taliban has not taken the necessary precautionary measures to confront this year's harvest, as well as the unavailability of information on the seizure of drugs and arrest of drug traffickers, concerns about the impact of the illegal drug trade remain strong.
Takhte-Ravanchi also pointed out: The absolute need for forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan, representing the country's multi-ethnic society, is crystal clear. The people of Afghanistan from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, especially the younger generation who will lead Afghanistan in the future, must be assured that they have a say in the affairs of their country. This would not be possible unless an inclusive government is established and sufficient attention is paid to Afghanistan's political and social structures that can involve people from all walks of life, including ethnicities, men, women, and youth.
According to Takhte-Ravanchi,despite repeated international calls, the Taliban has failed to make significant efforts to ensure the government's true ethnic and political inclusiveness. He emphasized that forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan is a prerequisite and a critical component for international recognition.
Fundamental human rights must be a priority for Taliban
The SG's report indicates that many of the Taliban's decisions have weakened fundamental human rights, particularly those of women and girls. Taliban should protect all human rights, particularly the rights of women and minorities and the right to education.
'We continue to consult with Afghanistan's neighbors and regional and international partners, including the United Nations, to assist Afghanistan in achieving long-term peace, security, and stability", ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations reassured.
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