Photo: UN News/David Mottershead

UN deputy envoy for Afghanistan rejects “middle ground” on human rights

The UN Deputy Special Representative, Markus Potzel, has said that there is “no middle ground” on human rights issues, particularly of of women in Afghanistan.

Speaking to UN News on Tuesday, Potzel said the the UN is playing a “bridge builder” role between Afghanistan and the international community.

Potzel said: “There is no middle ground on the issue of women and girls’ education and that broader human rights and the decrees banning women’s participation in society should be reversed as soon as possible.

“Afghanistan is the only country in the world which doesn’t allow girls to go to school beyond grade six, or to university. There is no discussion about this; it’s not a bargaining chip. It has to be reversed.”

Potzel further emphasized that without women working, international aid and UN agencies would not be able to operate efficiently. “The circumstances for the UN are getting more difficult because Afghan women now are not allowed to work,” he said. Adding that “There are tens of thousands of women-led households in this country because a lot of men in families have lost their lives in war. And without women, NGOs and UN organizations are not able to function properly [so] fewer people get access to aid.”

In terms of drug production and trafficking, he stated that the country is still the world’s largest producer of opium despite citing reports which suggest a decline in oppy cultivation following the Taliban’s ban on opium poppy, which Potzel “commended.”

“But, I also call on the international community to do more. We do cooperate with countries in the region who actually are willing to support the de facto authorities on drug rehabilitation.” The UN Deputy was quoted saying in the interview.

Potzel added that UNAMA is addressing the issue of drugs with Taliban leadership by finding “some common ground” to tackle drug abuse and trafficking and provide alternative means of livelihood to affected farmers.

He stated the UN sees “deficits” in the Taliban’s ability to provide public services to the people and maintain the rule of law.

“We are the eyes and ears, the antennae of the international community,” Potzel said. “We convey messages, and by talking to the de facto authorities, we also try to foster cooperation and help them get out of this isolation.”

“We think isolation is not an option, at least not a good option, for the future of Afghanistan.” He said.