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UN Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in Afghanistan

Xinhua, March 16, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN Security Council on Tuesday renewed the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year until March 17, 2017.

In the unanimously adopted resolution, the council "decides to extend until 17 March 2017 the mandate of UNAMA," while reiterating its concern about the security situation in Afghanistan, in particular violent extremist activities by the Taliban and other violent extremist groups.

The mandate of the mission mainly remains unchanged. UNAMA will continue to focus on providing good offices, promoting peace and reconciliation, monitoring and promoting human rights and the protection of civilians and promoting good governance.

Civilian casualties have been highlighted in the resolution. The council expressed its deep concerns over "the record number of civilian casualties, in particular women and children from conflict-related violence in Afghanistan, as noted in the February 2016 UNAMA report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict."

On Feb. 14, UNAMA released a report that documented 11,002 civilians casualties (3,545 deaths and 7,457 injuries) in 2015, the highest level of civilian casualties since the mission began producing these reports in 2007.

Moreover, the council expressed particular concern to the difficult situation surrounding children in conflicts.

The 15-member body reiterated its strong condemnation of the recruitment and use of child soldiers in violation of applicable international law and all other violations and abuses committed against children in situations of armed conflicts and attacks against schools, education and health-care facilities.

UNAMA was established by the Council in 2002 in order to help Afghanistan achieve peace and development. Enditem