8am: The year 1400, which is now close to an end, was full of dark shaded images that will be recorded in the history as Dark Year of the 1400s. On the occasion of welcoming the New Year of 1401, Mazar-e-Sharif, with a long history of hosting tourists and guests from across the country on the occasions of New Year celebration is on the verge of being decorated for welcoming the people from around the country for celebrating the New Year. Click here to read more (external link).
Decoding Afghanistan’s colourful headgear culture
Ahmad Shah Massoud
Al Jazeera: Style of cap or turban confers status and also signifies what part of the country they come from or which ethnic group they belong to. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan faces crisis on the ground as tens of thousands hide from Taliban, observers say
Fox News: Biden administration’s Afghanistan pullout has sparked long-term security dangers, observers warn. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Welcomes UN Resolution Extending Assistance Mission In Afghanistan
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
March 18, 2022
The Taliban has welcomed a UN Security Council resolution formally extending the UN’s presence in Afghanistan, although the Taliban-led government remains unrecognized by the international community.
The vote to extend the United Nations Assistance Mission for Afghanistan (UNAMA) was 14 in favor, with Russia abstaining.
The resolution allows the UN to continue work in Afghanistan, where a humanitarian situation has rapidly deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in August.
The new mandate authorizes the mission to promote gender equality, empowerment of women and girls, human rights of all Afghans, and an inclusive and representative government. But it does not give the Taliban-led government international recognition.
No country has recognized the Taliban-led government largely because of its lack of attention to respect for human rights, particularly the rights of girls, women, and ethnic minorities.
“We consider the extension of the mandate of UNAMA as a good step and want them to work effectively for solving humanitarian and other problems in Afghanistan,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP on March 18.
“We will coordinate and cooperate with them,” he added.
But in practice the militant group has gradually resurrected its discriminatory policies, enforcing strict segregation in universities, government offices, and on public transportation.
The Taliban has dramatically rolled back women’s rights in recent months, including closing most girls’ secondary schools and banning women from most forms of employment. Women who have demonstrated for greater rights have been arrested and, in some cases, disappeared.
Russia’s abstention comes amid Moscow’s international isolation over its invasion of Ukraine last month.
UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia criticized the council for not consulting “the host country” on the UN presence, saying it is important for “more substantive cooperation” between UNAMA and the Taliban, which would help the UN achieve its objectives and guarantee security for UN personnel.
UNAMA was first established in Afghanistan in 2002. Its mandate has in the past included humanitarian support, human rights advocacy, and political and regional cooperation. Before last year it also sought to protect civilians throughout the conflict and support the peace process.
Norwegian UN Ambassador Mona Juul, whose country drafted the resolution, said the council had sent a clear message with the new mandate.
“UNAMA has a crucial role to play in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and in supporting Afghan people as they face unprecedented challenges and uncertainty,” Juul said.
With reporting by RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi, AFP, and AP
Copyright (c) 2022. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.
1TV Afghanistan Dari News – March 18, 2022
Local Taliban in Bamiyan Generate 76 Million Afghanis Revenue From Coal Mining in Doab Mikhazarin Coal Mine Site in the Last Six Months
8am: Due to lack of security threats that Taliban insurgents were behind that, the former government could not utilize the national underground reserves. No doubt that Taliban now can extract them, as there is no rebels to create terror and insurgencies in the mining sites. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Bans Broadcasting Foreign Made TV Series on MOBY Group Media Company and Tolo TV
8am: The Taliban have imposed certain restrictions and censorships on media and freedom of speech since August 2021. In addition to the Taliban’s interferences in media’s scope of work, the factors such as security threats, and lack of funds have forced many media channels to shut down. It is recently reported that more than 50% of the media channels have either closed or have minimized their scope of operations. Click here to read more (external link).
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UN to vote on scope in Afghanistan amid hopes Russia doesn’t veto
Al Jazeera: The draft text introduced by Norway reshapes the global body’s relations with Kabul to account for last year’s seizure of power by the Taliban, whose rule is still not recognised by the international community and which is yet to name new representatives to the UN. Norway’s draft would extend UNAMA for another year, until March 17, 2023. Click here to read more (external link).
1TV Afghanistan Dari News – March 17, 2022
Taliban introduces caretaker ambassador to Turkmenistan
Ariana: Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) [Taliban] on Thursday introduced Haji Fazal Mohammad Sabir as caretaker ambassador of Afghanistan’s embassy in Turkmenistan, IEA’s Foreign Ministry announced in a series of tweets. Afghan diplomats, and other Afghans in Ashgabat, along with Turkmenistan’s deputy foreign minister attended an inauguration ceremony to mark the event. Click here to read more (external link).
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