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STATEMENT BY MR. NICOLAS DE RIVIÈRE, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED NATIONS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL

Mr. President, thank you, and thank you to Mr. Griffiths, Mr. Potzel and Ms. Morgan Edwards for their interventions.

This August marks a dark anniversary. One year ago, Afghanistan was plunged into chaos. Since then, the humanitarian situation has continued to deteriorate. Afghanistan is now one of the world’s worst food crisis countries, with nearly 20 million people affected, including 6 million at risk of starvation. Afghans, especially Afghan women, are no longer able to access their most basic rights and freedoms. We know who is responsible for this situation: the Taliban. Their takeover by force, as well as all their decisions since then, have brought Afghanistan to the brink of collapse. The expectations of the international community were clearly set out in Resolution 2593 adopted a year ago. It defined the prerequisites for stability and reconstruction in the country and recalled the obligations of the conventions ratified by Afghanistan, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Despite the Taliban’s systematic disregard of their own commitments, the international community has continued to reach out to help the population and keep the door open for dialogue. France, along with the European Union, has played its full part in this effort. We have responded without delay by contributing 123 million euros since last September. The European Union has disbursed 335 million euros since 2021.

The Security Council adopted Resolution 2615 to facilitate the delivery of aid to the Afghan people and to prevent any misappropriation.

But we must keep our eyes open. The Taliban are choosing to isolate themselves. Far from grasping the outstretched hand, they continue to disregard their commitments, as evidenced by the ban on girls’ access to secondary education. Faced with the serious violations of human rights that are multiplying, it is clear that the international community cannot trust its interlocutors.

The respect of human rights and in particular women’s rights cannot be an adjustment variable. It is a principle enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Women and girls in Afghanistan, deprived of all their rights, are prisoners in their own country. Faced with their dramatic situation, we will not allow impunity. Nor can we afford to provide development aid that would support the Taliban in their violation of human rights.

The recent neutralization of Al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri is another example of the Taliban’s betrayal of their commitments. This is a success for the fight against terrorism, but it is also a confirmation of our fears, which have been expressed many times in this chamber. The Taliban continue to provide refuge and support to terrorist groups, in particular Al Qaeda.

The Taliban must meet five conditions in order to break out of their isolation. These are: the safe departure of Afghans who wish to leave; free access for aid throughout the country; respect for the fundamental rights of all, especially women and girls; the establishment of a representative government; and the complete and concrete rupture of ties with terrorist groups. To date, none of these conditions have been met.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate France’s full support for the Afghan people, its willingness to participate in the necessary efforts to alleviate their suffering, and its full cooperation with the United Nations, in particular UNAMA.