News (Consolidated) - UNSOM

NANGARHAR - Improving the ability of women victims of violence to seek formal recourse to justice was the focus of a UN-backed TV debate in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nangarhar. In the televised discussion, which will be aired on Wednesday on Sharq TV, Nargis FM and Sharq Radio, panellists…

KABUL - On behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan, I condemn the attack targeting civilians gathered for Iftar at the Grand Mosque in Pul-e-Khomri, Baghlan province. The attack wounded more than 40 civilians, with many in critical condition An improvised explosive device planted at the mosque…

NEW YORK - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned, in the strongest terms, the recent attacks in Afghanistan that killed and injured more than 100 civilians, including women and children. The attacks in Khost and Baghlan Provinces and Kabul city occurred near spaces of public…

KABUL - Calling for the views of Afghans and the principles of human rights to be central to any peace negotiations, civil society leaders have outlined their concerns and objectives in Kabul. At today’s event, the activists, all members of the Afghan People’s Dialogue steering committee…

HERAT - The government should establish a special court to deal with cases of violence against women, especially cases of domestic violence, civil society representatives and women’s rights activists recommended at the conclusion of a four-day, UN-backed seminar in Afghanistan’s western province of…

KABUL - On behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan, I wish all Afghans Eid Mubarak. As Muslims around the world celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr after a month of fasting and worship, I hope that families around Afghanistan will be able to come together in peace, in an environment free of fear and violence…

KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomes the establishment by the National Unity Government of the Electoral System Reform Commission, under the chairmanship of Mr. Sultan Shah Akefi. “This is an important step,” said Nicholas Haysom, the Secretary-General’s…

KABUL - The importance of enhancing women’s political role in Afghanistan, particularly in peace talks, was highlighted in a new UN radio programme broadcast today. In the latest segment of UNAMA’s “Afghanistan Emrooz,” broadcast in Dari on 93.5 Ariana FM, civil society activists and rights…

KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns the killing today of at least 19 civilians and the injuring of at least 28 at a bombing in the Almar district of Faryab province. “This horrific attack against civilians in a market demonstrates an appalling disregard for…

KABUL - Eliminating fraud and building trust in Afghan elections are the objectives of a newly established electoral reform body, said one of its members at a Kabul press conference today. The Special Electoral Reform Commission’s Deputy Chair, Siddiqullah Tawhidi, told reporters that the Commission…

KABUL - Identifying Afghanistan’s security challenges as a “regional phenomenon,” the top UN envoy in the country called for the region to extend to Afghans the support they need to confront what he called “significant challenges.” Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative…

NEW YORK - Below is the near-verbatim transcript of the media stakeout following a briefing of the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan to the Security Council.