UN Special Envoy Visits Kandahar Amid Concerns Over Taliban's New Law

Kandahar's Governor's Office announced that Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, visited the province on Sunday, August 25.

During her visit, Otunbayeva met Mohammad Sadiq Inqilabi, the Taliban's Deputy Governor of Kandahar.

The visit focused on discussions regarding the cultivation of alternative crops to poppies, a key issue in the region known for its reliance on poppy production.

Otunbayeva reiterated the UN's commitment to assisting farmers in transitioning to alternative crops, a move seen as essential for both economic and social stability in the area.

During the meeting, Otunbayeva highlighted the UN's humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, noting that over the past year, the organisation has provided aid to 26 million people across the country through various agencies.

In response, Inqilabi called for further UN support in addressing the issue of drug addiction and promoting alternative livelihoods. He also claimed that Afghanistan enjoys "absolute security" under Taliban rule and urged Otunbayeva to encourage international investors to consider opportunities in the country.

The visit comes just days after Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada ratified the group's Law on the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The law has raised concerns among international observers, with UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) expressing worry that the legislation could further curtail rights and perpetuate a climate of fear.

On Saturday, August 24, UNAMA urged the Taliban to clarify specific provisions of the law, warning that continued restrictions on rights would complicate efforts by the international community to engage constructively with the Taliban regime.