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UNITED NATIONS — <\/span>The U.N. Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Monday calling on Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban rulers to swiftly reverse their crackdown on women and to combat militant groups inside Afghanistan that Pakistan accuses of carrying out cross-border attacks.<\/p>\n China\u2019s U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong, whose country sponsored the resolution, said the hope is that the Afghan government will \u201ctake more proactive measures to protect human rights, especially the rights of women, and project an image of openness, inclusivity and responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n The resolution extends the U.N. political mission in Afghanistan until June 17, 2027, and authorizes it to support humanitarian aid deliveries \u201cwithout discrimination\u201d and to promote national and local governance \u201cwithout any discrimination based on sex, religion or ethnicity, with the full, equal, meaningful and safe participation of women, \u2026 minorities, youth and persons with disabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n The resolution\u2019s adoption follows the arrest of at least 30 women<\/a> in the western city of Herat this month for allegedly violating the Taliban\u2019s strict dress code. A rare protest sparked by the arrests was violently dispersed<\/a> by Taliban police, who shot and killed one person and injured several others, according to the U.N. mission known as UNAMA.<\/p>\n The Taliban <\/a> have run Afghanistan since 2021 in the wake of the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led forces and have imposed a strict interpretation<\/a> of Islamic law, or Shariah, including draconian restrictions<\/a> on women and girls, such as bans on education beyond primary school<\/a> and on many jobs. Minorities have also been impacted.<\/p>\n The resolution authorizes the U.N. mission to facilitate talks between the Taliban and regional countries and the wider international community,<\/p>\n \u201cFor that political process to succeed, the Taliban must act,\u201d U.S. deputy ambassador Jennifer Locetta said. \u201cThe Taliban must meet their counterterrorism commitments, respect Afghanistan\u2019s international obligations, end hostage diplomacy, and cease their unconscionable abuses of the human rights of women and girls.\u201d<\/p>\n Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, which the Taliban denies. Hundreds of people have been killed in fighting between the two countries since February, when Afghanistan attacked<\/a> Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.<\/p>\n Pakistan\u2019s U.N. Ambassador Asim Ahmad said the \u201cresolution expresses the council\u2019s serious concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, which continue to constitute a threat to international peace and security.\u201d<\/p>\n The new resolution also authorizes UNAMA to advance Afghanistan\u2019s economic development, including by facilitating commercial and financial activity and supporting efforts to return assets belonging to the Central Bank \u201cfor the benefit of the Afghan people.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n