UN seat is Afghanistan's 'right' as per rules: Taliban

Permanent representative should be a person accredited by government actually in power, says Taliban govt spokesperson

The Taliban government on Sunday said that the seat of Afghanistan at the United Nations (UN) is the right of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as per the rules of the global body itself.

"The permanent representative [at UN] should be a person accredited by government actually in power," Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen wrote on his Twitter handle who is also the nominee of the new interim setup as UN ambassador for Afghanistan.

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The seat of Afghanistan at UN is the right of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as per the rules of UN. The permanent representative should be a person accredited by government actually in power. Similarly, IEA has sovereignty, control over all borders and has support

— Suhail Shaheen. محمد سهیل شاهین (@suhailshaheen1) October 31, 2021

The United Nations is considering rival claims on who should represent Afghanistan. Ghulam Isaczai, the UN envoy representing the government ousted by the Taliban, is seeking to remain in the country's seat.

Read more: Taliban says failure to recognise their government could have global effects

A nine-member UN credentials committee – which includes Russia, China and the United States – is due to consider the rival Afghan claims next month and decision will likely be made before the end of the year.

"IEA has sovereignty, control over all borders and has support of the people. These are key for recognition of a government— which the IEA enjoys," Suhail said.

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of the people. These are key for recognition of a government— which the IEA enjoys.

— Suhail Shaheen. محمد سهیل شاهین (@suhailshaheen1) October 31, 2021

The statement comes two days after Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that no one is in a hurry to recognise the Taliban as Afghanistan's government, signalling that Moscow is not ready to allow the militants to represent Afghanistan at the UN.

He also said the UN and unilateral sanctions on Taliban leaders would have to be addressed but "perhaps not right away."

Also read: Taliban govt calls for unfreezing Afghan assets abroad

"The question of recognition will arise when the international community makes sure that the promises and commitments that the authorities announced will be delivered," Nebenzia told reporters.

He was referring to the Taliban pledges – made since group ousted the Western-backed government in mid-August – that included upholding human rights, particularly those of women and girls, and combating terrorism and drugs.

On Friday, Suhail posted on Twitter: "We call on the International Community to support Afghanistan with unfreezing nearly $10 billion assets of the Afghan people and resuming the development aid and projects pledged to Afghanistan."