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United Nations Security Council debate on Women, Peace and Security

April 17, 2013 By

Statement by  H.E. Dr. Zahir Tanin, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations at the Security Council debate on Women, Peace and Security

Mr. President,
I would like to start by congratulating you on your assumption of the Presidency of the Council for the month of April. We wish you every success in leading the work of the Council during your Presidency and thank you for convening today’s debate on an issue of crucial importance.

We are thankful to the Secretary-General, H.E Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, as well as to his Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, for the presentations they gave this morning. Taking this opportunity, we congratulate Ms. Bangura on her appointment, and commend the strong determination with which she is carrying out her task.

Mr. President,

Armed conflicts leave a devastating effect on societies around the world. Violence breeds more violence. Undoubtedly, women often bear the brunt of the many destructive consequences of war and strife. In that regard, sexual violence in the context of armed conflicts remains pervasive; a devastating reality that has yet to be resolved, requiring steadfast efforts at all levels.

 

In adopting resolutions 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009) and 1960 (2010), the Security Council sent the clear message that sexual violence will not be tolerated, and that ending sexual violence is essential for maintaining international peace and security. All States have the moral and legal responsibility to uphold the rights of women, and all citizens, and to protect them from sexual violence.

Mr. President,

Protecting and promoting the rights of the Afghan people has been the cornerstone of all our efforts to build a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. Central to these efforts is enabling women to regain their historic role as proactive citizens in Afghan society. Afghanistan is pursuing the vigorous implementation of SC resolution 1325 through our National Priority Program. We launched the National Action Plan for the Women of Afghanistan (NAPWA) as a ten-year blue print, which contains specific and time-bound benchmarks for progress in various areas. As the implementation of the Action Plan continues apace, we are confident that we will realize our vision to see Afghan women thrive, empowered in all sectors of society: social, political and economic.

Afghanistan is fully committed to preventing any form of violence against women, including sexual violence.  In this regard, we enacted in 2009 the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) law, providing stronger judicial means through which we can combat violence. Throughout the country, where committed, perpetrators of such crimes are increasingly being held accountable, and prosecuted before the law.

Mr. President,

In reference to an observation made in the Secretary-General’s report, we wish to state, with full confidence, the Government of Afghanistan and its people do not, and will not tolerate impunity against any form of human rights violations. Together with our judicial authorities, the Afghan national security forces are working diligently to uphold law and order in all areas of the country.  On the way forward, we are confident our efforts will continue to bear fruit, and women will be further empowered.

We also wish to highlight the following: Afghanistan is fully committed to upholding human rights in Afghan detention centers. In this respect, a number of concrete measures have been taken by the National Directorate for Security (NDS), including establishment of a human right division to monitor and investigate human rights situations as well as capacity building, and human rights awareness workshops for personnel. Following UNAMA’s report of January 20, 2013 on alleged cases of prisoner mistreatment, President Karzai issued a decree, which established an Independent Commission to investigate said cases that were reflected in UNAMA’s report. Since then, greater focus is being given to ensuring full adherence to human rights standards in Afghan detention centers.

Mr. President,

As the security transition proceeds, Afghanistan is also adamant on a successful outcome to its peace and reconciliation process, aimed at ending the current conflict and strife. By ending the conflict, we will eliminate the very conditions that were conducive to challenges in the area of human rights. As members of the High Peace Council (HPC), and as members of civil society, women are playing a central role in the peace process. The results of our peace and reconciliation efforts will in no way jeopardize the hard won gains of the past 11 years, especially those relating to human rights, the rights of women in particular.

Mr. President,

Before concluding, the international community has a crucial role to play to support continuous efforts in conflict affected, and post-conflict countries to end all forms of violence against women, including sexual violence. For our part, Afghanistan stands firmly committed to do its part in ensuring full protection of women’s rights around the world, and to preventing sexual violence, and all other forms of violations of human rights.

I Thank You.

 

United Nations’ Security Council debate on the Situation in Afghanistan

March 19, 2013 By

Statment by H.E. Dr Zahir Tanin
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations
At the Security Council debate on the  Situation in Afghanistan

Statement

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening today’s important meeting, which includes the extension of UNAMA’s mandate. I also wish to congratulate you on your assumption of the Presidency for the month of March. We convey our gratitude to the Secretary-General for his remarks and presentation of his report, which provides a comprehensive picture of the situation on the ground. I extend my appreciation to Special Representative Kubiš for joining us today. I wish to thank Foreign Minister Carr for honouring us with his presence and participation.

I would like to seize this opportunity to thank the members of the Council for the spirit of cooperation and openness shown during the course of negotiations. A special thanks goes to Ambassador Quinlan, and his team at the Australian Mission, for the able manner in which they led the process.

Mr. President,

In just two days, the Afghan New Year will begin, a year in which transition to full Afghan responsibility is central to our efforts, a year that will take us to the next elections, a year to bring an end to war, and a year of building confidence and resilience.

Since the adoption of UNAMA’s mandate last year, Afghanistan and the international community undertook a new focus on the needs of the transition period, which involves strengthening peace and security and the realization of national priorities. Together with the international community, we developed the parameters of future cooperation to ensure building a peaceful, stable, prosperous Afghanistan that is able to stand on its own feet. We did this through continuing dialogue with our partners, and agreements made in Chicago last May, at the Heart of Asia conference in Kabul in June and in Tokyo in July. More will need to be done to crystallize all aspects of cooperation between Afghanistan and the international community, including the shaping of our relations with the region.

Mr. President,

A successful and orderly transition to Afghan ownership and leadership is about a continuous focus on five priority areas:

First, strengthening Afghan national sovereignty and national ownership and leadership are central to transition. After more than a decade of shared efforts, strengthening of sovereignty entails normalization through security, political and economic transition. For the Afghan people, national sovereignty means taking full responsibility for their destiny.

With the announcement of the 4th tranche of transition this past December, assumption of full security responsibility by Afghan forces is more tangible than ever. By the end of this stage, eighty-seven percent of the Afghan population will be living in areas where Afghan security forces are in charge of security.

The Afghan people are keenly focused on a successful political transition, and all eyes are on the election next spring. The Government of Afghanistan is committed to fair, democratic, transparent and inclusive elections, in which the men and women of Afghanistan will again shape their political future. Preparations for elections are well underway. There is overwhelming consensus that a successful and credible election will be necessary for stability and lasting peace.

At the same time, peace talks and reconciliation with the armed opposition are essential for a successful election. The Afghan Government is doing its utmost to ensure the success of the reconciliation process. The High Peace Council has recently taken necessary steps to galvanize the reconciliation efforts. The support of the international community and in particular some countries in the region are important for an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned reconciliation process. As we work to move the peace process forward, the role of the Security Council will remain imperative; and we welcome the adoption of SC resolution 2082, which refined the Taliban sanctions regime in view of Afghanistan’s leadership of the reconciliation process.

Second, during transition and the decade of transformation to follow, the relationship between Afghanistan and our international partners will evolve. Strategic partnership agreements, such as those we finalized in the last two years, are key for shaping long-term relationships and for stability during transition and beyond. Afghanistan has established bilateral strategic partnerships with a number of countries including the agreement between Afghanistan and the US signed in May, which was followed by recognition of Afghanistan as a major non-NATO ally. Talks are ongoing to conclude the security agreement between the two countries, which will be finalized in due course. Just last month, we signed a strategic partnership with Norway. We are now defining parameters of similar partnerships with Denmark and Finland. With the transition, Afghanistan is entering a new era of relations with international partners, and we are committed to basing our strategic cooperation on bilateral frameworks, an important step toward normalization of the situation.

Our close partnership with NATO has been a significant source of progress for stabilization efforts. We look forward to furthering our partnership into the transformation decade ahead. In this context, we welcome the important discussions which took place at the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meetings in Brussels on 21-22 February, where NATO took concrete steps toward planning improved capabilities and reinforced their commitment to NATO’s post-2014 role of training, advising and assisting Afghan National Security Forces. Such strategic cooperation will ensure the future sustainability of Afghan National Security Forces.

Third, economic transition and aid delivery will be crucial for the sustainability of transition. This requires the commitment of the international community for supporting our self-reliance strategy through the transformation decade. The Tokyo conference last July was about not letting the drawdown of international combat forces affect Afghanistan’s strides toward stability and prosperity. It will be important to see how realization of the mutual commitments made in Tokyo will help us to address humanitarian and development challenges essential for not only stability but sustainability in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is committed to upholding the agreements made in Tokyo, which include commitments in the areas of equitable elections, good governance and rule of law, human right including women’s rights, and inclusive and sustainable development. We look forward to continuing to work with our international partners on the basis of the Tokyo Mutual Accountability Framework.

The economic transition is also about improving aid effectiveness, ensuring alignment with national priorities, and accountability and transparency of aid spending. Aid delivery and efficiency are particularly important at a time in which we not only face economic instability as a result of conflict, but unemployment and poverty remain significant problems. Capacity building for Afghan institutions to address the challenges ahead will be essential. It is crucial that the international community’s support is in line with national priorities and is channeled through the Afghan budget as agreed at the 2010 Kabul Conference. It is also important that aid delivery is based on emerging needs on the ground, and is directed to areas where need is greatest. Afghanistan is ready to be held accountable for any penny it spends, and we believe the commitments made in Tokyo will facilitate a sustainable economic future for Afghanistan.

Fourth, relations with Afghanistan’s neighbours and countries in our greater region are critical for stability and progress. Afghanistan is developing its bilateral and multilateral relations in all areas with countries in the region. We are in the centre of the Heart of Asia process, and see this cooperation as essential for peace and stability. Our partnerships with all countries in the region can be mutually beneficial; Afghanistan can serve as an economic bridge in an increasingly globalized region that is seeking progress and prosperity. At the Heart of Asia meeting in Kabul in June 2012, participating countries agreed upon a series of confidence building measures (CBMs) regarding a range of issues, a number of which were endorsed in February in Baku. We look forward to the next ministerial meeting in Almaty in April.

We are engaged with a number of countries on our path to normalization, which includes helping our reconciliation process. Most recently we have continued trilateral discussions with Pakistan and the UK as well as other forums to help cooperation. We are hopeful about the outcome that will result from our joint efforts.

Fifth, successful transition will require effective partnership with the UN. Since 2001, the UN has been at the centre of the coordination of international efforts in Afghanistan. We appreciate the important role it has played. More recently, we have seen how the UN is adjusting its role to meet the needs of transition. In this regard, the UN underwent a comprehensive review of its activities in Afghanistan in 2011; and in his recent report, the Secretary-General emphasizes the importance of realigning the relationship between the international community and Government of Afghanistan, and reflection on the UN’s role beyond transition.

As we complete transition, and transfer full responsibility to the Afghan Government, we can envisage normalization of the UN’s activities in the years to come. Aid coherence, One UN, and greater accountability are important for Afghanistan, the UN itself, and donor countries. Afghanistan looks forward to close cooperation with UNAMA in the coming year as it continues its efforts toward the priority areas of good offices in support of Afghan-led political processes, human rights, development coherence, and coordination of humanitarian assistance. In this regard, we welcome the renewal of UNAMA’s mandate, which has continually evolved to reflect and reinforce the principles of Afghan ownership and leadership.

Mr. President,

The end of transition will signal the beginning of a new chapter, one marked by national resilience and the strategic goal of self-reliance. While the nature of the international community’s engagement with Afghanistan is evolving, their continued support will be vital. Full realization of sovereignty and self-reliance will make Afghanistan a more effective partner for the world, but achieving this requires the trust, confidence and long-term commitment of international community. Afghanistan looks forward to lasting cooperation with our international partners toward enduring peace, stability, and prosperity in the country.

I thank you.

Video

 

Reducing poverty and ensuring social integration for persons with disabilities in Afghanistan

February 21, 2013 By

Reducing poverty and ensuring social integration for persons with disabilities in Afghanistan
Statement of Mr. Ahmad Zahir Faqiri
Deputy Permanent Representative (DPR) of Afghan Mission to the United Nations
Commission for Social Development

 Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to begin by thanking the organizers of today’s event, and The Right Honorable Kim Campbell, for moderating our panel. I am pleased to be here today among fellow panellists. The Commission for Social Development is involved with important work and I am pleased to contribute to panel through focusing on the theme, “Reducing poverty and ensuring social integration for persons with disabilities in Afghanistan.”

Statement of The Islamic of Republic of Afghanistan Delivered by Mr. Ahmad Zahir Faqiri, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations.

The Government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is now in the process of reversing decades of economic and social decline from long years of conflict through a series of initiatives with significant assistance from international donors. While efforts are underway to ensure equitable growth and development opportunities for all, there has been a special focus on vulnerable groups and especially people with disabilities. In Afghanistan, one out of every five households has a person with disabilities. While this is only a conservative estimate according to the national sample survey, the actual prevalence of disability could be around 15% considering  the definition of a person with disabilities under the UNCRPD (UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities).

This survey indicate that majority of persons with disabilities are in the age under 14 yrs. Among the population of children in Afghanistan, children with disabilities face many challenges and are in a vulnerable situation due to various reasons such as poverty, illiteracy, lack of health and nutritional support apart from prevailing insecure environment. The level of literacy is the lowest among children with disabilities and especially among girls with disabilities. The Survey also pointing out that around 73% of children with disabilities above the age of 6 do not receive education, with the rates of school attendance even lower for girls with disabilities. Economic difficulties and burden on the families to arrange transportation are the main causes for high drop-out rates among children with disabilities.

The constitution of Afghanistan has many enabling articles that promote and protect the rights of the people with disabilities.  In addition to the constitution, the government of Afghanistan has formulated a number of legal frameworks and strategies to empower people with disabilities to overcome poverty and to promote social integration.

Ladies and gentlemen

The Government of Afghanistan has recently passed legislation for persons with disabilities titled ‘Law of Rights and Privileges of Persons with Disabilities’. This Law has been established to provide economic, social, political, cultural, educational, and rehabilitation support for the disabled (men, women and children) to ensure their rights and active participation in society. The law provides 3% reservation of jobs in government and private sector.

The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disability (MOLSAMD) with active cooperation and participation of civil society framed an action plan as a way forward to integrate the economic and social needs of the persons with disabilities within the over- arching framework of the Afghanistan national development strategy and other key national policies.

The following measures have been envisaged for people with disabilities to achieve economic and social integration within the Afghan society;

 

  1. Promoting decent employment for all, including people with disabilities by developing efficient labor market.
  2. Reduce the risk of poverty among people with disabilities through developing social insurance.
  3. Reduce poverty and social exclusion through developing social assistance arrangements.
  4. Strengthening extended network of social care services for the protection of people with disabilities
  5. Enhance awareness about the socio-economic needs of people with disabilities
  6. Strengthening capacity to lead national labor and social protection policy development and implementation.

In order to fulfil its responsibilities both in National and International level to protect and promote the human right values, the government of Afghanistan, apart from the national instruments has joined the  following international conventions and frame works

The following treaties ratified by the government of Afghanistan are enabling people with disabilities to overcome poverty and to join the mainstream of development: Convention on the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personal mine and on their destruction; The Convention on Cluster Munitions; UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and Vocational rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention.

There has been substantial work undertaken by the government, UN agencies, international development organizations and the Afghan civil society in establishing economic, social and legal institutional foundations to promote the interest of vulnerable populations which includes people with disabilities as well. Through development and humanitarian work, disability is emerging as a cross-cutting issue in all policy and programme development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation process. The government of Afghanistan has identified the following principal areas of intervention to create enabling environment for people with disabilities: Access to education, especially for girls and women with disabilities; Access to justice; Access to decent and full employment; and Good governance for persons with disabilities.

The Afghanistan relevant institutions will sensitize the officials of the key ministries impacting the lives of people with disabilities to deal with issues related to disability benevolently and with all sensitivity. Disbursement of pensions and other social security benefits will take place in a time frame manner. The Directorate will ensure that grievances related to social security benefits are disposed -off without inordinate delay and within the time stipulated by the government. The proposed disability commission will monitor the process ensuring good governance to persons with disabilities in all the key departments.

The disability movement is largely led by the civil society which is exposed to ‘social and a rights-based model’ of approaching disability. The Disability Stakeholder Group in Afghanistan comprises NGO, INGOs and members from the civil society such as the media who attend monthly meetings and are part of the decision –making process of the ministry regarding all issues related to policies and programmes for people with disabilities. The government will ensure that the disability stakeholders group of Afghanistan is consulted by the UN Country Team in preparing the UN Strategic Framework in accordance with the UN Guidelines.

No single agency can fulfil the needs of people with disabilities alone; all development agencies should include disability as a key component within their efforts. Afghanistan is going through a brisk period of reconstruction and development. It will be the policy of the government to ensure that disability becomes a ‘cross-cutting theme in our agenda. Every effort will be made by the government to include disability within the policies and programmes of agencies such as UN, NGOs, civil societies, donor agencies and other ministries. The proposed National Institute for Persons with Disabilities will have a department for promoting disability policy and advocacy which will specifically focus on mainstreaming disability within the national agenda of all the stakeholders.

I thank you.