Afghanistan: Demonstration demanding release of Western frozen assets

Hundreds of Afghans protested in Kabul today, demanding the release of the country’s assets, which have been frozen by the West since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in mid-August, depriving the country of vital humanitarian aid.

Surrounded by large forces of Islamist militants who gave permission for the demonstration, about 200 people gathered in central Kabul holding banners reading in English and pasting “Let us eat”, “Give us our frozen money”. or “Do not shame humanity.”

Our main request is for the US to release our assets as soon as possible. “This is the wealth of the Afghan people,” said Shafiq Ahmad Rahimi, 28, one of the organizers of the protest.

Following the overthrow of the US-backed Afghan government by the Taliban, Western countries stopped providing aid to Afghanistan, plunging the country into a major economic and humanitarian crisis.

“We ask the Islamic Emirate to accept all the legitimate demands of the international community,” Rahimi added.

The international community is urging the Taliban to respect human rights, especially those of women, by lifting restrictions on education and employment.

The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan is on the brink of one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, and the World Food Program said last week it was worried about a “famine avalanche”.

Last Monday night, the United States submitted to the UN Security Council a draft resolution facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, which states that this aid “does not violate” the decision to impose sanctions on entities associated with Afghanistan. Taliban.

SOURCE: AMPE