United Nations, Apr.30.– On April 26, 2023, women leaders from Afghanistan sent a letter to the UN Secretary-General expressing their concern regarding the statement made by the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed on April 17, 2023. Ms. Mohammed announced that the UN would convene a conference of Special Envoys for Afghanistan in Doha on May 1 and 2 to provide an opportunity to “find baby steps to put us back on the pathway to recognition” of the Taliban.
The undersigned women leaders, human rights defenders, peacebuilders, and civil society representatives restated that Afghan women have unequivocally advised against granting formal recognition or legitimacy to the Taliban since August 2021. In the letter, Afghan women leaders urged the UN Secretary-General to ensure that all UN leadership and staff are clear and consistent with their messaging that human rights, including women’s rights and gender equality, must be front and center in all efforts to engender peace and security in Afghanistan.
The letter was sent five days in advance of the 1-2 May meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan in Doha.
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Jimmy Lai is in prison in Hong Kong awaiting trial in September. While the outcome of the trial may be a foregone conclusion, Jimmy’s commitment to the cause of freedom and democracy for Hong Kong is an inspiration to all and reminds us that the fight for human freedom is always worth fighting.
By controlling Tibet’s environment, China controls life not just for Tibetans—but for the nearly 2 billion people across Asia that depend on Tibet’s water, land, and other resources. China is constructing massive dams on Tibetan rivers at an unprecedented pace. This weaponization of water and pollution from construction threatens nearly two billion people across Asia who depend on Tibet’s water.