Protesting Women Demand Removal of UNAMA Head

In a statement released on Sunday (December 15), the movement expressed concern over the continuation of the "engagement and whitewashing" policy of the Taliban by the UNAMA office and called for a shift in this approach.

The movement emphasized the negative consequences of UNAMA's current approach, stating that it has not only strengthened the Taliban but also intensified the systematic suppression of women, which can be considered a form of "modern-day slavery."

The statement reads: "The request for continued engagement with the Taliban by the head of UNAMA at the United Nations Security Council meeting, while this institution has, over the past three years, taken a conciliatory approach to the Taliban instead of standing firmly against the blatant violation of fundamental human rights by the group, has led to the normalization of relations with the Taliban, the transfer of millions of dollars to them under the guise of humanitarian aid, ignoring ongoing humanitarian disasters, and indirectly legitimizing the ongoing repression in Afghanistan. While engagement with the Taliban has not made them more flexible in response to the people's and the international community's demands, it has allowed the Taliban to grossly violate human rights, especially women's rights, with no fear of accountability or real pressure."

The movement also called for the removal of Rosa Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of UNAMA, stating that "she has failed to properly carry out the mission of this institution in supporting human rights, especially women's rights." The movement demands that she be replaced with a "qualified and impartial" person who can restore UNAMA's credibility in Afghanistan.

The statement calls for an immediate halt to the UN's engagement and whitewashing of the Taliban, stressing that such an approach has not only strengthened the group but also worsened the human rights situation, particularly for women.

The movement has urged human rights organizations, the media, and the international community to exert more pressure on the UN to ensure that the institution plays its proper role in supporting women's rights and human values in Afghanistan.

The movement has warned that if UNAMA's policies of supporting the Taliban continue, protesting women in Afghanistan will submit an official petition to the UN Secretary-General to prevent the renewal of UNAMA's mandate and call for the closure of its offices in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Rosa Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, emphasized at the UN Security Council meeting on Thursday (December 12) that engagement with the Taliban in a "principled" manner is essential, and simply condemning the group is not effective.