What are the features of UNSC resolution on Afghan assistance?

On December 22, 2021, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution unanimously to permit exemptions in sanctions against the Taliban.

Features of the resolution

• The exemptions seek to facilitate delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
• It covers urgent humanitarian assistance and other activities, to support basic human needs in Afghanistan.
• It will primarily benefit poor or at-risk populations or otherwise relieve human suffering.
• Some of the assistance and activities include:

1. Shelter and settlement assistance
2. Food security
3. Education
4. Livelihood support
5. Energy and Water
6. Sanitation and Health including COVID-related assistance,
7. Nutrition, and Hygiene.

About UNSC resolution 2615

The UNSC resolution mandates a review of the exemptions every six months. It also encourages the assistance providers to try and ensure that benefits do not flow to entities designated on 1988 Sanctions List. It further requests an Emergency Relief Coordinator to brief UNSC every six months on the delivery of assistance. It asked all parties to respect human rights and observe international humanitarian law.

India’s Vote in Favour

India has supported the UNSC resolution to grant exemption from sanctions, in the light that, half population of Afghanistan are facing acute food insecurity. India’s permanent representative to UN, T.S. Tirumurti noted that, assistance should be distributed impartially. It should be based on principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. He also noted that, assistance should be accessible to all irrespective of ethnicity, religion or political belief and should reach most vulnerable including women, children & minorities first.

United Nations Security Council (UNSC)

UNSC is one among the six principal organs of United Nations (UN). It is charged with ensuring international peace and security. The body also recommends admission of new UN members to the UN General Assembly, besides approving any changes to the UN Charter. It is empowered with establishing peacekeeping operations, authorizing military action and enacting international sanctions.

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2021