14 November 2001

UN Security Council Resolution 1378 on Afghanistan

United Nations - The UN Security Council November 14 unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing UN efforts to help the Afghan people establish a transitional administration to replace the Taliban.

The resolution, drafted by the United Kingdom and France, gave strong support to the plan set out by UN Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi to get representatives of the Northern Alliance and Afghan groups both inside and outside the country to meet and begin a process that would eventually lead to the formation of a new government over the next few years.

The resolution calls on the Afghan forces to refrain from acts of reprisal and adhere strictly to human rights and international humanitarian laws.

It also calls on nations to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people as well as fund short- and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation projects.

Following is the UNSC text of the resolution:

Resolution 1378 (2001)

The Security Council,

Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular resolutions 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999, 1333 (2000) of 19 December 2000 and 1363 (2001) of 30 July 2001,

Supporting international efforts to root out terrorism, in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming also its resolutions 1368 (2001) of 12 September 2001 and 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001,

Recognizing the urgency of the security and political situation in Afghanistan in light of the most recent developments, particularly in Kabul,

Condemning the Taliban for allowing Afghanistan to be used as a base for the export of terrorism by the Al-Qaida network and other terrorist groups and for providing safe haven to Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and others associated with them, and in this context supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to replace the Taliban regime,

Welcoming the intention of the Special Representative to convene an urgent meeting of the various Afghan processes at an appropriate venue and calling on the United Front and all Afghans represented in those processes to accept his invitation to that meeting without delay, in good faith and without preconditions,

Welcoming the Declaration on the Situation in Afghanistan by the Foreign Ministers and other Senior Representatives of the Six plus Two of 12 November 2001, as well as the support being offered by other international groups,

Taking note of the views expressed at the meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on 13 November 2001,

Endorsing the approach outlined by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General at the meeting of the Security Council on 13 November 2001,

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

Deeply concerned by the grave humanitarian situation and the continuing serious violations by the Taliban of human rights and international humanitarian law,

1. Expresses its strong support for the efforts of the Afghan people to establish a new and transitional administration leading to the formation of a government, both of which:

• Should be broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative of all the Afghan people and committed to peace with Afghanistan's neighbors,

• Should respect the human rights of all Afghan people, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion,

• Should respect Afghanistan's international obligations, including by cooperating fully in international efforts to combat terrorism and illicit drug trafficking within and from Afghanistan,

• And should facilitate the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance and the orderly return of refugees and internally displaced persons, when the situation permits;

2. Calls on all Afghan forces to refrain from acts of reprisal, adhere strictly to their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law, and to ensure the safety and security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel, as well as personnel of humanitarian organizations;

3. Affirms that the United Nations should play a central role in supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to establish urgently such a new and transitional administration leading to the formation of a new government and, expresses its full support for the Secretary-General's Special Representative in the accomplishment of his mandate, and calls on Afghans, both within Afghanistan and among the Afghan diaspora, and Member States to cooperate with him;

4. Calls on Member States to provide:

• Support for such an administration and government, including through the implementation of quick-impact projects,

• Urgent humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of Afghan people both inside Afghanistan and Afghan refugees, including in demining,

• And long-term assistance for the social and economic reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan and welcomes initiatives towards this end;

5. Encourages Member States to support efforts to ensure the safety and security of areas of Afghanistan no longer under Taliban control, and in particular to ensure respect for Kabul as the capital for all the Afghan people, and especially to protect civilians, transitional authorities, United Nations and associated personnel, as well as personnel of humanitarian organizations;

6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.