Latest news with #JonathanShrier
Japan Today
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
U.N. General Assembly condemns 'systematic oppression' of women in Afghanistan
Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have imposed harsh restrictions on women's participation in public life since they returned to power in 2021 The United Nations General Assembly on Monday denounced the "systematic oppression" of women and girls in Afghanistan by the country's Taliban authorities. The resolution was adopted by 116 votes in favor versus the United States and Israel against, with 12 abstentions. The text "expresses its serious concern about the grave, worsening, widespread and systematic oppression of all women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban." It said the Taliban, a strictly conservative Islamist armed group that took control of the country in 2021, "has put in place an institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity and the exclusion of women and girls." Since taking power, Taliban authorities, who also ruled the country between 1996 and 2001, have restricted women's education and ability to work, and barred them from participation in many forms of public life. Member states called on the Taliban "to swiftly reverse contradictory policies and practices," including laws that "extend the already intolerable restrictions on the human rights of women and girls and on basic personal freedoms for all Afghans." The resolution welcomed the Doha talks, initiated in 2023 by the U.N. to coordinate the international community's approach to the Taliban authorities, and called on U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres to appoint a coordinator to facilitate that process. The United States opposed the resolution and rejected engagement with the Taliban government. "Nearly four years following the Taliban takeover, we continue the same conversations and engage with the same so-called Taliban officials about improving the situation in Afghanistan without demanding results from them," said US representative Jonathan Shrier. "The United States will no longer enable their heinous behavior." The Taliban returned to power after reaching a peace agreement with the United States during President Donald Trump's first term, overthrowing the country's government after foreign forces withdrew under the deal. Russia officially became the first country to recognize the Taliban government last week. © 2025 AFP
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US votes against UN resolution over language on Russia's war
The United States voted against a U.N. General Assembly resolution on cooperation between the U.N. and the Council of Europe because of its language regarding Russia's war, according to a letter from Jonathan Shrier, acting U.S. representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council, dated April 16. The resolution passed despite U.S. opposition, with nine countries voting against it – the United States, Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, Congo, Mali, Nicaragua, Niger, and Sudan. As U.S. President Donald Trump pushes for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, Washington is increasingly softening its tone on Russia. Commenting on the April 16 resolution, Shrier said Washington opposed it because of repeated statements about the war in Ukraine that the U.S. considers 'unhelpful in advancing the cause of peace.' 'Maintaining international peace and security, including through the peaceful settlement of disputes, is the primary goal for which the United Nations was created,' Shrier said, adding that the U.S. supports efforts for a durable resolution of the war in Ukraine. The U.S. also criticized the resolution's endorsement of the Global Compacts on Migration and Refugees, arguing they undermine national sovereignty and fail to address the destabilizing effects of mass migration. Washington also objected to references to the 2030 Agenda and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, labeling them as soft global governance that could contradict U.S. interests. Earlier on Feb. 24, the U.S. voted against a UN General Assembly resolution that reaffirmed Ukraine's territorial integrity and named Russia an aggressor. Instead, the U.S. backed a separate, less confrontational resolution at the UN Security Council that avoided direct blame and called broadly for an end to the conflict. Days later, the U.S. declined to sign a WTO statement condemning Russian aggression. Ukraine and the U.S. previously agreed to a complete 30-day ceasefire during talks in Jeddah on March 11. Russia rejected the proposal unless it included concessions that would undermine Kyiv's ability to defend itself, including a full halt to foreign military aid. While U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to end the war are ongoing, Ukrainian officials say Russia continues to insist on maximalist demands and has shown little willingness to pursue a comprehensive peace agreement. Kyiv maintains it is ready for a complete ceasefire if Moscow agrees to reciprocate. Read also: 'Territories are first and foremost people:' Zaporizhzhia, Kherson residents anxiously watch Witkoff debate the land they stand on We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US votes against UN resolution condemning Russia's war against Ukraine
The United States voted on 16 April against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine. Source: European Pravda Details: The resolution in question is Resolution A/79/L/75 Cooperation between the United Nations and the Council of Europe, which deals, among other things, with the status of Russia, which was expelled from the Council of Europe in March 2022. The 12-page resolution, initiated by Luxembourg and Lithuania, references Russia's aggression against Ukraine twice – once in the preamble and once in the main text. The resolution was backed by 105 countries at the UN General Assembly meeting on 16 April. The nine that voted against it are Russia, Belarus, North Korea and the United States. In his speech during the discussion, US Ambassador to the UN Jonathan Shrier claimed that the resolution "repeats statements as to the Russia-Ukraine war that the United States considers unhelpful in advancing the cause of peace". "We hope the Council of Europe, and all UN member states, will support and reinforce efforts to achieve a comprehensive and lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine," he added. Background: This is the second time that the United States has joined Russia in voting against a General Assembly resolution condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine. On 24 February, the UN General Assembly approved a Ukrainian resolution condemning Russian aggression. The United States, Russia and less than two dozen other countries voted against it. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
