UNITED NATIONS, United States, March 3, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - The United States
and Russia on Wednesday presented opposing visions at the Security Council
for the UN's role in Afghanistan, with Washington's call for robust support
of human rights running contrary to Moscow's desires.

  With the UN political mission's mandate in need of renewal by March 17, the
United States underscored its "strong support" for the human rights work
being carried out.

  Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador Anna Evstigneeva said, however, that Moscow
does "not agree that the human rights component of the mission should be
reinforced."

  "We stand against linking the human rights situation to humanitarian and
recovery assistance," she said.

  The mission "must not become a kind of a supervisor to meet the interests
of those who are not ready to help Afghans without preconditions," she said.

  For his part, US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Jeffrey DeLaurentis said the
United States supports the mission's human rights monitoring functions and
humanitarian coordination role.

  He also highlighted its child and civilian protections and work to promote
equal participation of women "in all aspects of public life."

  The United States additionally took a swipe at Beijing, with DeLaurentis
stating that it was "a pity that China spends more time criticizing US
actions, than focusing on helping the Afghan people themselves."

  "China's the second largest contributor to the UN. What China has done to
help the people of Afghanistan, or contribute to regional security, does not
match that standing," he said.

  At the beginning of the session, the UN envoy to Afghanistan, Deborah
Lyons, asked the UN to engage with the Taliban without isolating them, which
she said was the only way to enact positive change.

  "We believe, as the winter season comes to an end, that we have perhaps
averted our worst fears of famine and widespread starvation," she said.