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The situation in Afghanistan: consequences for Europe and the region

Doc. 15381: compendium of written amendments | Doc. 15381 | 29/09/2021 | Final version

Compendium index

Amendment 1 Amendment 2 Amendment 3 Amendment 4 Amendment 5 Amendment 6

Caption: AdoptedRejectedWithdrawnNo electronic votes

ADraft Resolution

1The Parliamentary Assembly expresses its deepest concern at the situation in Afghanistan following the military withdrawal of the United States of America and its NATO allies and partners and the Taliban’s return to power, which has opened a phase of political uncertainties in which violence continues and the potential for civil war is not excluded. This state of affairs leads to heightened risks for peace, stability and security in Afghanistan, the region and beyond.
2The Assembly is convinced that tackling the immediate and future momentous challenges posed by this situation requires a coherent, co-ordinated and concerted response by the international community and believes that Council of Europe member States should spare no effort to achieve this objective.
3The first and foremost imperative should be addressing the harrowing humanitarian crisis, which affects the lives and livelihood of millions of people due to the combination of a protracted military conflict, successive droughts, and the Covid-19 pandemic. In this context, the Assembly welcomes the international conference organised by the United Nations in Geneva (13-14 September 2021) during which donors pledged more than one billion US dollars in humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan.
4The Assembly regrets that, despite the unanimous and repeated calls by the international community and the Taliban’s initial public statements, the interim government is neither inclusive nor representative. The Assembly believes that only a government which reflects Afghanistan’s political, religious and ethnic diversity, includes women, and engages in a genuine process of reconciliation can lead to a durable political settlement and could aspire to legitimacy and international recognition.

29 September 2021

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Fourat BEN CHIKHA, Ms Margreet De BOER, Ms Liliana TANGUY, Ms Nicole TRISSE, Ms Selin SAYEK BÖKE, Ms Ingjerd Schie SCHOU, Ms Edite ESTRELA, Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI, Mr Christophe LACROIX, Ms Feleknas UCA

In the draft resolution, paragraph 4, after the words "genuine process of reconciliation", insert the following words:

"in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000),"

5Similarly, extremely alarmed by credible reports of serious human rights and humanitarian law violations by the Taliban, the Assembly recalls that, as de facto authorities, they have obligations, and they can be held accountable in this regard. To this end, the Assembly considers the setting up of a specific, robust, independent mandate of the United Nations to monitor human rights violations in Afghanistan as the best way to collect objective and systematic information on the ground and bring it to the attention of the international community.
6Reiterating in the strongest terms its condemnation of terrorism in all circumstances, the Assembly expresses its deep concern at the high number of Taliban figures subjected to the system of sanctions established by Resolution 1267 (1999) of the UN Security Council being members of the interim government.
7It recalls that the fight against terrorism is one of the formidable transnational challenges arising from the current situation which could potentially spill-over with disastrous and destabilising effects, together with organised crime, drug trafficking, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings. In this context, the Assembly underlines that addressing these challenges will require a stronger dialogue, partnership and solidarity with countries of the region.
8In light of the above, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States to:
8.1work towards achieving a coherent, co-ordinated and concerted response in relation to Afghanistan;
8.2step up efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan;
8.3continue the evacuation of foreign nationals and eligible Afghans, and make additional efforts to ensure co-ordination and effectiveness of evacuation operations;

29 September 2021

Tabled by Ms Marta GRANDE, Ms Marina BERLINGHIERI, Ms Maria RIZZOTTI, Ms Maria Elena BOSCHI, Mr Gianni MARILOTTI, Mr Roberto RAMPI, Mr Alberto RIBOLLA

Votes: 70 in favor 0 against 3 abstentions

In the draft resolution, after paragraph 8.3, insert the following paragraph:

"introduce visas for students enrolled in universities of member States"

8.4support the central role of the United Nations and its specialised agencies in co-ordinating international efforts in relation to Afghanistan, starting with humanitarian assistance;
8.5support the setting up of a specific, robust and independent mandate of the United Nations Human Rights Council to monitor the respect of human rights in Afghanistan;

29 September 2021

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Fourat BEN CHIKHA, Ms Margreet De BOER, Ms Liliana TANGUY, Ms Nicole TRISSE, Ms Selin SAYEK BÖKE, Ms Ingjerd Schie SCHOU, Ms Edite ESTRELA, Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI, Mr Christophe LACROIX, Ms Feleknas UCA

Votes: 76 in favor 0 against 0 abstention

In the draft resolution, paragraph 8.5, after the words "monitor the respect of human rights in Afghanistan" insert the following words:

"over the whole territory, including in rural areas"

8.6establish a cautious, pragmatic and operational engagement with the Taliban with a view to addressing the areas of concern which are identified in the present resolution;
8.7make any upgrading of their operational engagement with the Taliban conditional upon:
8.7.1the respect of human rights and humanitarian law;

29 September 2021

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Fourat BEN CHIKHA, Ms Margreet De BOER, Ms Liliana TANGUY, Ms Nicole TRISSE, Ms Selin SAYEK BÖKE, Ms Ingjerd Schie SCHOU, Ms Edite ESTRELA, Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI, Mr Christophe LACROIX, Ms Feleknas UCA

Votes: 71 in favor 16 against 4 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 8.7.1, after the words "the respect of human rights" insert the following words:

", in particular those of vulnerable groups such as minorities, women and LGBTI people,"

8.7.2the rejection of terrorism and violent extremism, as demonstrated by conclusive actions;
8.7.3the formation of an inclusive and representative government and starting a reconciliation process;
8.7.4the provision of unhindered access to Afghanistan for the United Nations and for humanitarian relief agencies;
8.7.5the practical facilitation of the evacuation operations organised by foreign countries;
8.8ensure that any removal of Taliban members from the list of UN sanctions pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) of the UN Security Council be conditional upon an actual change of the individual circumstances which led to their inclusion in the first place;
8.9support the establishment of mechanisms aimed at ensuring that the freezing of Afghan financial assets does not aggravate the socio-economic situation of the population;
8.10find ways to provide development aid to Afghanistan to avoid the collapse of the economic situation, which would further aggravate the humanitarian crisis and act as a push factor for migration;
8.11shoulder their moral and legal responsibilities as regards refugee protection and, in this context to:
8.11.1ensure the respect of the principle of non-refoulement;
8.11.2make greater resettlement opportunities available for Afghans, especially for those who are more at risk and vulnerable;

29 September 2021

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Fourat BEN CHIKHA, Ms Margreet De BOER, Ms Liliana TANGUY, Ms Nicole TRISSE, Ms Selin SAYEK BÖKE, Ms Ingjerd Schie SCHOU, Ms Edite ESTRELA, Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI, Mr Christophe LACROIX, Ms Feleknas UCA

Votes: 63 in favor 21 against 10 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 8.11.2, after the words "those who are more at risk and vulnerable", insert the following words:

", in particular minorities, women and LGBTI people"

8.11.3introduce humanitarian visas, temporary protection or special visa programmes, especially for women;

29 September 2021

Tabled by Ms Petra BAYR, Mr Fourat BEN CHIKHA, Ms Margreet De BOER, Ms Liliana TANGUY, Ms Nicole TRISSE, Ms Selin SAYEK BÖKE, Ms Ingjerd Schie SCHOU, Ms Edite ESTRELA, Ms Marica MONTEMAGGI, Mr Christophe LACROIX, Ms Feleknas UCA

Votes: 64 in favor 21 against 9 abstentions

In the draft resolution, paragraph 8.11.3, after the words "especially for women", insert the following words:

"and other vulnerable groups such as minorities and LGBTI people"

8.11.4reassess current and recent asylum applications by Afghans in light of recent developments;
8.11.5refrain from enforcing forced returns to Afghanistan;
8.12multiply diplomatic efforts, at global and regional level, to promote peace, security and stability in Afghanistan and the region and to develop a common, coherent approach toward the Taliban.
9In addition, given the frontline role of the countries of the region, in particular neighbouring countries, in tackling the consequences of the Taliban takeover, the Assembly calls on Council of Europe member States to make available political and financial support to help them in their efforts to:
9.1provide shelter and protection to people fleeing Afghanistan in dignified conditions;
9.2tackle threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, drug trafficking, smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings and other transnational criminal activities.
10The Assembly also asks its Bureau to consider strengthening inter-parliamentary dialogue between the Assembly and countries from Central Asia and their regional organisations, with a view to contributing to greater dialogue, mutual understanding and resilience in the face of the need to promote regional stability and avoid the risks of any further spill-over.
11Furthermore, the Assembly calls on the Taliban, as the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to:
11.1put an end to violence;
11.2engage in a broad national dialogue with a view to setting up a representative and inclusive government including women, members of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as representatives of the previous government;
11.3introduce an amnesty for Afghans having been members or the security forces, civil servants, and those having held public responsibilities under the previous government, while refraining from and sanctioning any form or harassment or persecution against them;
11.4facilitate the safe departure of foreign nationals and Afghans in possession of the necessary documentation and who wish to leave;
11.5ensure the respect of human rights and humanitarian law;
11.6respect the cultural, social and legal progress that has been achieved in the past twenty years as regards human rights and individual freedoms and refrain from any statement or action that could undermine it, including as regards:
11.6.1girls’ access to education;
11.6.2women’s freedom of movement, access to work, healthcare and sports;
11.6.3representation and active participation of women and persons from minorities in all areas of public and political life;
11.7allow full, safe, and unhindered access to all areas of Afghanistan for the United Nations, its specialised agencies and implementing partners, and all humanitarian actors engaged in humanitarian relief activity, including with respect to internally displaced persons;
11.8accede to requests for information or co-operation by the United Nations, its specialised agencies, bodies and mechanisms;
11.9respect the immunities and inviolability of diplomatic missions and staff;
11.10refrain from, and effectively counter, any action or statement that could support terrorism and violent extremism in or outside Afghanistan, including recruiting, providing training, financial support or shelter to terrorists;
11.11take resolute action to tackle the production and trafficking of narcotics and dismantle networks involved in domestic or translational criminal activities.
12The Assembly calls on the national parliaments of Council of Europe Member and Observer States as well as parliaments enjoying the Observer or partner for democracy status to scrutinise their governments and hold them to account for the way in which they respond to the current situation.
13Finally, the Assembly considers that, given the far-reaching implications of the current situation in Afghanistan, it should continue to be seized on the matter.