Special envoys and representatives for Afghanistan from 13 nations and organizations, including Canada, the European Union, and the United States, met in Geneva on December 16 to discuss the country’s worsening humanitarian and political crisis. Observers from the United Nations, the World Bank, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also participated.
In a joint statement, the envoys expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s recent decision to prohibit women and girls from attending medical training institutions. They characterized the move as a devastating blow to Afghanistan’s already fragile healthcare system and a serious violation of women’s rights. They pointed out that this policy builds on over 80 repressive edicts targeting women’s participation in education, public life, and the economy, including the controversial “Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice” enacted earlier this year.
The group called for the immediate reversal of these discriminatory policies, warning of their long-term humanitarian and societal consequences. They stressed the need for a credible and inclusive national dialogue to establish a constitutional order with representative governance as a cornerstone of Afghanistan’s stability.
The envoys also emphasized the essential role of international and local humanitarian organizations in alleviating the ongoing crisis. They reiterated their support for the United Nations, especially the UN-led Doha Process and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), commending their efforts to deliver critical aid to vulnerable populations.
This meeting highlights the international community’s steadfast commitment to addressing Afghanistan’s complex challenges and supporting its people during a worsening humanitarian and political crisis.
