UN drops sanctions against notorious Afghan warlord
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 February 2017 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, UN drops sanctions against notorious Afghan warlord, 4 February 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5975a4e4c.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 04, 2017
An image of Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar is displayed on a video projector screen from an undisclosed location as he signs a peace deal with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani at the Presidential Palace in Kabul on September 29, 2016.
The UN Security Council has lifted sanctions on notorious former Afghan warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, potentially paving his way to return to Afghanistan.
The move, announced on February 3, was requested by the Afghan government as part of a peace deal with Hekmatyar and his militant group, Hezb-e Islami, in September.
In removing Hekmatyar from the list of people sanctioned for their ties to militant groups, the UN unfroze his assets and dropped a travel ban and arms embargo against him.
Amin Karim, Hekmatyar's chief negotiator, was quoted by the Associated Press in January as saying that he would return to Kabul in "a matter of weeks, not months."
The Afghan government's peace deal with Hekmatyar was criticized by some Afghans and human rights defenders.
Rights activists have expressed concerns about long-standing accusations of human rights abuses against Hekmatyar, saying he was responsible for some of the worst atrocities committed during the civil war in the 1990s.
Hezb-e Islami has also carried out deadly attacks against U.S. and Afghan forces since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.
Kabul hopes a deal with Hezb-e Islami can convince the Taliban to end its insurgency and join the political process.
Based on reporting by Reuters, tolonews.com, and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
