Afghan

IDPs fleeing Orakzai Agency near the Pakistan-Afghan border.
IRIN/Abdul Majeed Goraya

'Suffering an enormous human cost', civilian casualties up nearly 20 per cent in 2014 – UN

19 December 2014
Civilian casualties in Afghanistan increased by nearly 20 per cent in 2014 compared to the previous year and are expected to rise to a figure over 10,000 by end of December – for the first time since the UN mission in the country began keeping record in 2008.
UNODC's Yury Fedotov (left) and UNAMA's Nicholas Haysom address the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security.
UN Photo/Amanda Voisard/Mark Garten

Afghanistan: UN officials urge reforms, fight against drug trade to ensure country’s security

18 December 2014
As Afghanistan builds upon recent political developments, including the formation of a unity government, the country’s authorities and the international community must not ignore the immense challenges that lie ahead, from simmering insecurity to an escalating drug crisis, two senior United Nations officials declared today during their briefing to the Security Council.
Afghan troops being trained by NATO at one of the military training centres in Kabul.
UNAMA

Afghanistan: Security Council backs agreement on new non-combat NATO mission

12 December 2014
Amid ongoing violence in Afghanistan, the United Nations Security Council today welcomed the agreement between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Afghan Government to establish a new non-combat, training, advisory and assistance mission, which would begin operation in January 2015.
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman addresses the London Conference on Afghanistan, co-hosted by the governments of the UK and Afghanistan.
Patrick Tsui/FCO

UN political chief urges revamped approach to boosting development in Afghanistan

4 December 2014
Despite lingering instability and economic fragility, Afghanistan sits at an historic crossroads from which it can fully transition to a “strong, independent, and forward-looking” nation, the top United Nations political official said today in London.
A wide view of the Security Council.
UN Photo/Kim Haughton (file)

Afghanistan: Security Council condemns attack on UK embassy vehicle

28 November 2014
The United Nations Security Council has condemned in the strongest terms the attack yesterday on a United Kingdom embassy vehicle in Kabul, Afghanistan, reiterating serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida and other terrorist and extremist groups.
Nicholas Haysom, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan.
Fardin Waezi/UNAMA

Afghanistan: UN strongly condemns suicide bombing at volleyball match

24 November 2014
A brutal terrorist attack which killed at least 50 civilians in Afghanistan over the weekend is an “atrocity” and may amount to a war crime, the top United Nations envoy to the country declared today as he condemned the indiscriminate suicide bombing in “the strongest terms.”
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, addresses a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan.
UNAMA/Fardin Waezi

Afghanistan: UN expert calls for sustainable measures to address violence against women

13 November 2014
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Rashida Manjoo, has called on the Government of Afghanistan and the international community to adopt sustainable measures to address the causes and consequences of gender-based violence in the country.
Opium poppy field in the south of Afghanistan.
IRIN/Abdullah Shaheen

Opium harvest in Afghanistan hits new high in 2014 – UN

12 November 2014
Opium cultivation and production in Afghanistan reached record levels this year, with the former increasing seven per cent to 224,000 hectares in 2014, and production levels potentially climbing as much as 17 per cent, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
Opium harvest in a poppy field in Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Raw opium is cooked before being suitable for smoking.
IRIN/Manoocher Deghati

In Afghanistan, UN crime chief pledges support to combat ‘disastrous’ drug trade, corruption

10 November 2014
Visiting Kabul over the weekend, the head of the United Nations agency combating all forms of criminal activity, met with newly-elected President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and pledged support to counter the harmful effects of illicit drugs, organized crime and corruption on Afghanistan and its people.
High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al Hussein.
UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

Afghanistan: UN rights chief reiterates call for stay in gang-rape case

7 October 2014
The scheduled executions set for tomorrow of five Afghans accused of armed robbery and gang rape is being criticized by the United Nations human rights chief, who today reiterated his calls for a stay to allow a judicial review and ensure that the right to a fair trial is upheld.