In news-Recently, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously passed a resolution permitting a carveout in sanctions against the Taliban to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
About the resolution(2615)-
- It was put forward by the U.S., and was passed after Security Council members, including veto-wielding China and Russia, had objections to a draft version.
- In passing the text, the Council carved out an exemption for humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs from sanctions imposed under resolutions 2255 (2015) and 1988 (2011), concerning individuals and entities associated with the Taliban in constituting a threat to peace and security.
- This carveout covers urgently needed humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs in Afghanistan.
- It includes activities related to shelter and settlement assistance, food security, education, livelihoods support, energy, water, sanitation, health including COVID-related assistance, nutrition, and hygiene, among others.
- The resolution mandates a review of the carveout every six months.
- It also requests that an Emergency Relief Coordinator brief the UNSC every six months on the delivery of assistance and any obstacles to implementation.
- It also “calls on all parties” to respect human rights and observe international humanitarian law.
Note: Resolution 2593 (backed by India) was adopted recently that called on the Taliban to not permit Afghanistan to become a training ground for terrorists.
What is a United Nations resolution?
- It is a formal text adopted by the United Nations (UN).
- Although any UN body can issue resolutions, in practice most resolutions are issued by the Security Council or the General Assembly.
- Except concerning UN budgetary matters and instructions to lower UN bodies, General Assembly resolutions are non-binding.
- The General Assembly resolutions as the expression of member states’ views, and as not legally binding upon member states.
Source: The Hindu
