The three-year long mission of the UN special envoy for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, is ending. Lyons’ has been publicly thanked by European Union representatives and Afghanistan-focused diplomats, Islamic Emirate officials and top Afghan politicians.
The EU Ambassador to Afghanistan, Andreas von Brandt, told TOLOnews that Lyons has made efforts to improve the human rights’ situation in Afghanistan.
“I have always appreciated her insights, her collegiality, her wisdom and her determination to work and do the best for the people of Afghanistan,” he said.
Lyons held farewell meetings with senior officials of the Islamic Emirate.
The Ministry of Interior on Saturday said that acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani met with Deborah Lyons, outgoing UN special envoy for Afghanistan. Haqqani praised Lyons work in Afghanistan as “positive,” the ministry said on Twitter.
The former chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), Abdullah Abdullah, said in a tweet that he met Lyons and “discussed the latest developments in the country. At the end of her tenure, I thanked her for her services in Afghanistan, and wished her all the best in her future.” The Islamic Emirate has praised Lyons’ work in Afghanistan.
“Her (Lyons) activities regarding cooperation with the people of Afghanistan is considered positive by the Islamic Emirate,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate. It is yet to be clear who will replace Lyons.
Meanwhile, women’s rights activists expressed frustration over the deterioration of human rights in Afghanistan. “If the UN and other countries are sending any envoy to Afghanistan, they should hear the voice of the women in Afghanistan,” said Darya Nishat, a women’s rights activist.
Lyons was leading the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) as the country has gone through many historic processes, including the peace process, presidential polling and the collapse the Western-backed republican government.—Tolo News
