Will Support Women & Human Rights in Afghanistan, Says US Diplomat

Karen Decker, chargé d'affaires at the US Embassy for Afghanistan, said that the United States is committed to supporting Afghan women and girls and promoting human rights.

Washington has said that with the end of the term of the US special representative for Afghanistan, Thomas West, Karen Decker and US envoy for women and human rights, Rina Amiri, will carry out his duties.

On Thursday, Decker announced that she looks forward to continuing to work with Mark Pommersheim and continue West's effective work to protect US interests.

Earlier, Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State announced that West would step down as the US special representative for Afghanistan and would be appointed as the acting head of the State Department's Sanctions Coordination Office.

Blinken did not elaborate on West's successor, but stressed that Afghanistan will continue to be led by Karen Decker, Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy for Afghanistan, Rina Amiri, Special Representative for Women, Girls and Human Rights in Afghanistan, and John Mark Pommersheim, former US ambassador to the Republic of Tajikistan.

US Secretary of State praised Thomas West's role over the past four years, stating that he has implemented US policies in Afghanistan well.

The US State Department had previously stressed that "the US commitment to Afghanistan remains an enduring priority".