21.09.2021 05:00
(Akt. 21.09.2021 05:00)
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On the sidelines of the UN general debate in New York, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg (both ÖVP) are holding a round table on Afghanistan on Tuesday afternoon (local time). At the meeting in the Permanent Representation of Austria to the United Nations, the dramatic humanitarian situation and the situation with regard to women’s and human rights are to be discussed.
The Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also takes part in the meeting. Frederiksen is a social democrat, but, like the turquoise-green federal government in Austria, takes a tough stance on asylum and migration issues. In doing so, she has largely marginalized the right-wing populists in her country.
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In addition, other foreign ministers from the EU as well as from neighboring countries of Afghanistan and the region have confirmed their attendance. The chief diplomats from Qatar (Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thanil), Tajikistan (Sirojiddin Muhriddin), Kazakhstan (Mukhtar Tileuberdi), the Czech Republic (Jakub Kulhánek) and Greece (Nikos Dendias) as well as representatives of international organizations such as UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi are expected .
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The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan was “dramatic” after the radical Islamist Taliban came to power, the Austrian side emphasized in advance. “18 million Afghans need humanitarian aid. There are also 3.7 million internally displaced people in the country.”
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The “situation of human and women’s rights” was assessed as “very difficult”: “Half of all Afghan women and girls are exposed to physical or sexual violence at some point in their life. More than a third of Afghan girls are affected by child marriage 150 media are already closed, teaching at universities is gender-segregated. “
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“In view of the dramatic developments in Afghanistan, the UN and the international community must not stand idly by and do more to protect human and women’s rights,” said Chancellor Kurz in a statement before the meeting. “Because women and girls have the right to a self-determined life without fear of violence and any form of discrimination, especially in countries like Afghanistan.”
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Foreign Minister Schallenberg actively assisted: “The takeover of power by the Taliban presents the international community with considerable challenges. Austria is not afraid to take on responsibility here.”
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Austria is helping “on site” with an aid package worth 20 million euros for UNHCR (High Commissioner for Refugees), UN Women, WFP (World Food Program) and ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross), the minister noted. “We place a special focus on women and girls. At the same time, it must be clear that neither Austria nor the EU will be able to master the challenges on their own. This makes close coordination with EU partners, international organizations and partners in the region all the more important.” “
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After the meeting in the Austrian representation in New York, a similar meeting at EU level is planned for the later afternoon, at which Foreign Minister Schallenberg will also be present. For Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, in addition to participating in the opening of the 76th general debate in the framework of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday morning, at which Kurz and Schallenberg will also be present, above all bilateral appointments are on the agenda.
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