INTERVENTION BY
H.E. MOHD FAIZAL RAZALI
DELEGATE TO THE 77TH UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
DURING THE
GENERAL DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN
AND ADOPTION OF DRAFT RESOLUTION A/77/L.11
UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK, 10 NOVEMBER 2022
Mr. President,
The situation in Afghanistan is of grave concern to Malaysia. The precarious security environment, curtailing of civil liberties and dire humanitarian scenario are intensifying the hardships faced by the Afghan people. The food insecurity and malnutrition crises, and the combination of severe drought and natural disasters, further exacerbate their plight. In his recent report, the Secretary-General highlighted that approximately 24.4 million people, or 59 percent of the estimated population of Afghanistan, are in need of humanitarian assistance this year, up from 18.4 million people at the beginning of 2021.
2. The international community must work hand-in-hand to alleviate the sufferings of the people of Afghanistan, especially those impacted by disaster and food insecurity. In response to the earthquake and floods that struck Afghanistan earlier this year, the Government of Malaysia recently made a contribution of USD200,000, through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). This contribution is in addition to the one made during the Virtual High-Level Ministerial Meeting on the Humanitarian Situation in Afghanistan on 13 September 2021, as well as through the OIC Humanitarian Trust Fund for Afghanistan established in December 2021.
3. In addition, a number of Malaysian non-governmental organisations continue to engage with relevant parties and have actively extended humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, including through humanitarian relief missions and the operation of health and pre-school facilities. Malaysia expresses appreciation to the leadership and staff members of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for their unstinting assistance to the government and people of Afghanistan, and echoes the Secretary-General’s appeal for funding support to the humanitarian response plan to meet the USD2.59 billion shortfall, in order to enable the provision of life-saving response to Afghans in need.
Mr. President,
4. Malaysia remains committed to an Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled peace and national reconciliation process. This process must be inclusive, and uphold human rights and fundamental freedoms, which include full and meaningful participation of women, youth and persons belonging to ethnic, religious and other minority groups. In this regard, Malaysia is concerned with the infringement of the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly the continued depravation of secondary and tertiary education for girls. All impediments to the full enjoyment of this fundamental right must be promptly removed.
5. Malaysia is also deeply concerned with the persistent attacks against ethnic, religious and other minority groups in Afghanistan, in particular by terrorist groups. We condemn in the strongest terms terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and deplore the spate of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including educational facilities, religious sites, as well as diplomatic premises and personnel. The perpetrators of such heinous acts must be held accountable.
6. Malaysia notes with appreciation the recommendations contained in the latest report by UNAMA on Human rights in Afghanistan published in June 2022, and calls for their careful consideration and prompt implementation, including by the international community.
Mr. President,
7. Decades of conflict on Afghan soil have resulted in contamination of remnants of war, in particular explosive ordnance. These, coupled with the significant threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), continue to pose serious harm to civilians and humanitarian personnel, with disproportionate impacts on children. Every now and then, civilians are either killed or maimed due to detonation of unexploded ordnance or IEDs. Malaysia commends the work of the United Nations Mine Action Service in clearing contaminated land in Afghanistan in the face of challenging circumstances, and calls for support in eradicating the harm posed by remnants of war and IEDs.
8. There is also a need to undertake concrete measures to address the narcotics problem in Afghanistan, given the strong linkages to criminal activities and terrorism. We note the ban on all cultivation of opium poppy and all narcotics decreed by the Taliban government in April 2022, as well as the engagement with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on alternative livelihood programmes for farmers.
Mr. President,
9. While the peace and national reconciliation process must emanate from within Afghanistan, the support of the international community is a requisite towards creating favourable conditions in this regard. Regional cooperation plays an important role in the creation of such conditions in Afghanistan and should be recognised. Malaysia wishes to acknowledge the efforts and contribution of the various regional organisations and arrangements vis-à-vis Afghanistan.
10. On the draft resolution contained in document L.11 before us this morning, Malaysia takes this opportunity to thank the Permanent Mission of Germany for facilitating the negotiations of the text. We understand that the draft that has been presented represents a delicate balance of the different views of delegations. While there is a desire for more ambitious language on humanitarian assistance, socioeconomic development and regional cooperation, we understand that not all delegations share this view during the negotiations. Nonetheless, Malaysia will support the draft resolution as contained in document L.11.
11. Malaysia reaffirms its readiness to collaborate with third countries to provide humanitarian assistance, human capital development, and financial assistance to the people of Afghanistan, including through various non-governmental organisations.
I thank you.