Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC meeting on Afghanistan - June 23rd, 2022

Mister President,

First of all, Brazil would like to express deep condolences to the families of the victims of the earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan earlier this week. As we wait for more precise information about the full extent of the devastation and the number of victims, Brazil expresses its appreciation for the best efforts made by UNAMA, UNICEF and all UN agencies on the ground to quickly respond to the appeals made by the “de facto” authorities for support on the site of the disaster. We stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult time.

Brazil thanks USG Martin Griffiths and Deputy Special Representative Ramiz Alakbarov for their updates. We also thank Mrs. Yalda Hakim and Mrs.  Yalda Royan for their insightful presentations.  I welcome the representatives of Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and Uzbekistan to this meeting.

The ever-growing humanitarian needs of the Afghan population in the difficult scenario of competing demands for international humanitarian assistance is alarming. Before the earthquake, 59% of the population was in need of assistance and only 31% of the humanitarian response plan was funded. The UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations were already struggling to provide their essential aid to the population in need. That scenario will probably just get worse once we have a complete assessment of the impacts of this week’s earthquake. 

Brazil recalls that humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people does not and should not constitute a violation of the sanctions regime. We recognize that efforts have been made to address the difficulty that humanitarian organizations and UN agencies had been facing to send financial resources to Afghanistan, but we, once more, appeal to all countries concerned to continue to look closely into this issue. Humanitarian exemptions for any sanctions must be strictly observed, to ensure that they do not undermine access to food, shelter and essential health supplies for those most in need. That understanding is applicable to Afghanistan but also to other humanitarian crisis.

Lifesaving aid of the international community must continue to flow to alleviate suffering of all the vulnerable in Afghanistan. But we all know that only long-term development measures will pave the way for a more prosperous and peaceful future for Afghanistan. In that regard, Brazil also echoes the appeals for members of the international community to consider unfreezing the assets of Afghan institutions.

Mister President,

This Council must also continue to work for the protection and promotion of human rights in Afghanistan, especially of the ones that seem to be the most affected: women and girls, children, human rights defenders, journalists and other media workers, persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities.

Our special gratitude goes to Mrs. Deborah Lyons for her committed work as Special Representative of the Secretary General for Afghanistan until 15th of June. Brazil thanks Mrs. Lyons for her continuous engagement with all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders to address the many challenges faced by the country, for her tireless work in mobilizing humanitarian assistance and defending the promotion of human rights, especially the fundamental rights of women and girls.

Brazil reiterates its full support to the work of both the Special Representative of the Secretary General to Afghanistan and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in their mandate to support and promote gender equality, women's and girls` empowerment and the full protection of their human rights, including education, and the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation, engagement and leadership of women at all levels and stages of decision-making, in line with resolution 1325 (2000) and related resolutions.

We still have not seen women returning to public life and girls’ secondary students to their classroom seats. Women’s and girls rights must be respected not only due to Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law, but also because women’s participation in the economy is paramount for Afghanistan’s economy, for recovery today and future sustainable development. Afghan women's organizations that provide services to women and girls must also be allowed to continue to carry out crucial work. The conditions necessary for this to happen must be guaranteed.

Mister President,

As the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, said last week in Geneva when describing the situation in Afghanistan: this is the "darkest moment in a generation".  The conclusions of the Secretary General’s latest report confirm this gloomy analysis. The earthquake adds a new layer of gravity to the already serious humanitarian situation on the ground. 

We must continue to work together towards an inclusive, democratic Afghan political process, with the full participation of women, one that promotes the cessation of hostilities, stability and national reconciliation.