The UK unequivocally condemns the appalling erosion of women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Archie Young, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan.
Today, I will focus on three of the key points that were raised by our briefers: first, on the appalling erosion of rights in Afghanistan, secondly, on the dire humanitarian situation, and thirdly, on how the UN process can drive progress.
Today, as we observe International Human Rights Day, the promise of universal rights in Afghanistan remains tragically unfulfilled.
Over the four years of the Taliban’s rule, repression has intensified. Over a hundred edicts have systematically eroded the rights of Afghan women and girls. Girls cannot attend school after the age of 12, and for more than three months, the Taliban has banned women from working at UN offices.
The UK Government unequivocally condemns this appalling erosion of women and girls’ rights, and we urge its immediate reversal.
In October, UK officials travelled to Kabul to press the Taliban to reverse these barbaric decrees.
The international community must unite against the Taliban’s assault on human rights. We must not abandon half of Afghanistan’s population.
Second, the humanitarian situation. As winter approaches, the humanitarian needs in Afghanistan remain dire. As today’s briefers set out, in 2026, an estimated 21.9 million people – 45 per cent of the Afghan population – will require humanitarian assistance.
The UK continues to work to support the country’s most vulnerable, especially women and girls. We remain a major donor, allocating up to $201 million in the financial year of 2025/26 for vital life-saving and basic services.
We are deeply concerned by the deteriorating food security and nutrition situation as evidenced by the recent IPC forecasts. In the context of reducing funding for Afghanistan, we collectively must do everything possible to ensure life-saving assistance is available to the most vulnerable.
And third, the UN process. The UK continues to engage with the UN-led process, including the “Comprehensive Approach.” Strong UN leadership is essential to drive this process forward, and we therefore hope to see the next SRSG at the earliest opportunity.
However, our support for the Comprehensive Approach depends on the Taliban taking meaningful steps and adhering to their international obligations, especially those related to counter terrorism and the rights of women and girls.
As our Foreign Secretary recently said, ‘there cannot be peace, security or prosperity without women playing their part, free from violence and free from fear’.
That is the principle which must underpin Afghanistan’s future.