Afghanistan: Women and children continue to pay a heavy price [fr]

I, too, wish to thank Special Representative Tadamichi Yamamoto for his insightful briefing. I also thank Ms. Aisha Khurram, who gave us an opportunity to hear the voice of the youth of Afghanistan, as well as Ambassador Adela Raz of Afghanistan, who, as usual, very eloquently advocated on behalf of her country. I would also like to commend Mr. Yamamoto’s commitment to an Afghanistan on the road to lasting peace and thank him for his constant efforts.Afghanistan will not be able to take that path alone. The international and regional commitments to the Afghan people must be unified and unfailing. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is the embodiment of that support on the ground. Under the leadership of Mr. Yamamoto, UNAMA has made outstanding progress in the area of human rights, in particular in women’s rights, and the path to democracy.

We must maintain that progress.As we await the results of the 28 September election, I would first like to commend the men and women of Afghanistan for the courage they showed in braving the threats to go to the polling stations. Although certainly lower than in previous elections, the level of electoral participation was nevertheless encouraging, and despite the technical difficulties, we can conclude that the voting process was satisfactory.But that is only a first step. The credibility of the elections now depends on the results being announced and accepted by all of the candidates. To that end, the vote-counting process must be transparent. The Independent Election Commission must communicate more openly and systematically throughout the entire vote-counting process in order to build that trust and prepare for a conclusive announcement of the results. The next Government can best ensure its success by peacefully and democratically accepting the results.

The latter will have the difficult task of leading the inter-Afghan peace process.In order to ensure lasting results, that process must be inclusive and leave no segment of the population behind. In order to ensure lasting peace, we will also need to maintain the gains made in the areas of justice, the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms, particularly the rights and freedoms of Afghan women, which Ambassador Raz has been eloquently defending here at the United Nations. In that regard, I commend her, as well as Ambassador Pierce, on their successful launching of the Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan, in which I am very honoured to participate.Further progress is also needed to improve governance, eliminate corruption and combat drugs.

The continued elevated levels of violence in Afghanistan remain a source of constant concern for my country. Civilian casualties have reached their highest level since 2009, as Mr. Yamamoto just recalled. Combating terrorism must remain a priority. We have just renewed the mandate of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, and the commitment of the United Nations alongside the Afghan people in the fight against terrorism must continue.In that context, it is important that the discussions between the United States and the Taliban lead to a significant reduction in the violence in order to make it possible to establish a ceasefire during future inter-Afghan peace negotiations.

The civilian population, in particular women and children, continue to pay a high price, which is unacceptable. The attack on 3 December in Jalalabad that killed Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, founder and senior official of the non-governmental organization Peace Japan Medical Services, as well as five Afghans, is shocking, and France condemns it in the strongest terms. International humanitarian law must be upheld, and we are duty-bound to ensure that it is respected. Humanitarian and medical personnel must be protected, as must civilian and humanitarian infrastructure, and unimpeded humanitarian access must be ensured throughout Afghan territory.

Humanitarian response is essential but insufficient. We also must heed and fully take into account the aspirations of Afghan young people, as expressed strongly by Ms. Aisha Khurram. The most important aspiration of young Afghans is an end to violence as well as lasting peace, which will require a just and inclusive process based on respect for the rights of all and for basic equality between men and women. France, which has long-standing and deep ties with the great country of Afghanistan, will not waver in its support for Afghanistan’s efforts to achieve that goal.We around this table have converging goals and messages, which is key. Indeed, it is our goal and our common responsibility here in the Security Council to create conditions conducive to peace and security, which will make it possible for young people in Afghanistan to take charge of their own destiny and together build a better future.