UN to Continue Engaging Taliban Despite Ban on Women's Voices

The United Nations remains committed to engaging all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban, despite the latter's recent ban on women's public voices and severed ties with the U.N. mission. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric affirmed the UN's impartial commitment to human rights and equality.

The United Nations confirmed its commitment to involving all stakeholders in Afghanistan, including the Taliban, despite the recent ban on women's voices in public spaces and the severing of ties with the U.N. mission by Afghanistan's rulers. This came after the U.N. mission criticized new laws affecting women's rights.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric defended both the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and its head Roza Otunbayeva. Otunbayeva had earlier described the new laws, which include restrictions on female voices outside the home, as a "distressing vision" for Afghanistan's future.

The Taliban, who base the regulations on Sharia law, said they expect international entities to respect Islamic values. Despite the recent tensions, Dujarric emphasized that the UN would persist in its efforts, promoting human rights and equality as mandated by the Security Council.

(With inputs from agencies.)