Thursday, June 17, 2021
Kabul (BNA) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation said that no additional concern should be created for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) of the country, a statement from the council said Wednesday.
At a meeting entitled “Ensuring Ceasefire and Achieving Peace,” the peace council chief said that the forces have access to information, and we must support the security and defense forces of the country in every way, and this is the responsibility of any citizen.
“They are strongly defending Afghanistan and that in order to get out of the current situation, this atmosphere must change, which requires a clear vision, perseverance and national unity for the people,” he added.
Dr. Abdullah went on saying that the fall of the districts had not only military consequences, rather, it inflicts irreparable damage on the process of humanitarian aid, public facilities, women, children and schools.
According to him, with the announcement of the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, an emergency situation arose, and the Taliban took advantage of it and intensified war and violence, with women are going to be the main victims of violence.
Dr. Abdullah added that preparations had been made for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan and the people of Afghanistan must be mentally prepared for this. He said the war was raging on but the Taliban cannot and must not be defeated by a military mean.
“The international community and the people of Afghanistan want an immediate ceasefire,” he said.
Meanwhile, UN Special Representative for Women in Afghanistan, said women were being targeted to silence them, but “we raised our voices to support them and that Gender-based ceasefire should be used.
Shahrzad Akbar, head of the Afghan Human Rights Commission, said the significant participation of women in the ceasefire and the peace process was crucial and that they must take active part in the whole aspects of peace process and use their experience and expertise.
“The role of women in ensuring lasting peace is important and could strengthen the process,” said Mette Knudsen, UN Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Political Affairs, adding the United Nations was working hard on the issue.
Thanking the Human Rights Commission and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Afghanistan for holding the meeting, Dr. Abdullah said that the issue of gender in ceasefire is a serious issue and that a female representative will be present during the talks.
Yarzada
