Renewed Call on Afghan Rulers to Form Inclusive Gov’t 

The Iranian mission to the United Nations called on Afghanistan’s de-facto authorities to accede to repeated international calls for the formation of an inclusive government that accurately reflects the country’s multi-ethnic society. 
“Only a government comprised of all Afghans can guarantee and protect their rights,” Deputy Permanent Representative of Iran to the UN Zahra Ershadi said in her address to a Security Council meeting on the “Situation in Afghanistan” in New York on Tuesday, IRNA reported. 
The Afghan government fell in May 2021 following an offensive by the Taliban insurgent group which had been toppled from power in 2001 by the United States. The Taliban’s victory came after the US irresponsible withdrawal of its troops and those of other international allies. 
The takeover had widespread domestic and international ramifications and led to a humanitarian and displacement crisis. 
Ershadi said while humanitarian and development assistance by the international community is critical, it is not a long-term solution and must be supplemented by sustained economic growth. 
She called for the full return of frozen assets that belong to the Afghan people without being politicized or conditional. 
Sanctions imposed on specific individuals and entities in Afghanistan must also not obstruct humanitarian, economic and development cooperation with this country, she added. 
“The sanctions should not have an impact on efforts to revitalize the Afghan economy.”
Ershadi highlighted terrorism and the emergence of terrorist groups as another serious threat to the crisis-hit country. 
Pointing to a recent attack to the Russian embassy which killed at least six people, she urged the de-facto authorities to commit to fighting terrorism, protecting diplomatic and consular premises against any intrusion or damage and preventing attacks on diplomatic premises, agents and consular officers.
“Afghanistan must no longer serve as a haven for terrorist groups like Daesh and Al-Qaeda,” she said. 
Efforts to combat drug trafficking must also be a priority, according to the ambassador. 
Having long shared borders with Afghanistan, Iran is directly affected by the menace and pays a high price for it, she said. 
“Over the past 40 years, Iran has played an active role in combating drug trafficking in the region, in which, nearly 4,000 members of Iran’s law enforcement forces have been martyred and over 12,000 others have been injured.” 
Ershadi later underlined Iran’s role as a major host to millions of Afghan refugees, thousands of whom have entered the country on a daily basis since the Taliban takeover.
She said Iran never closed its borders, but neighbors of Afghanistan should not feel all the burdens associated with receiving Afghan refugees alone.
“Other countries should welcome refugees as well,” she said. 
The Iranian ambassador welcomed Roza Otunbayeva on her recent appointment as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan, and Head of UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. 
“We continue our support to UNAMA in its efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and facilitate the intra-Afghan political process to promote peace and stability in the country.” 
The Islamic Republic continues its efforts to assist the Afghan people and work with Afghanistan’s neighbors and other partners to ensure durable peace and sustainable development in this country, she concluded.