Topic: The Situation in Afghanistan
Country: Sweden
Delegate Name: Natalie Gilbert
School: Grand Rapids City High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Sweden position papers GLIMUN 2017 committees
“Terrorism threatens international peace and security, national security and our fundamental rights and freedoms. Every year, numerous terrorist attacks are carried out around the world. Recent years have seen a sharp increase in problems related to foreign terrorist fighters and there is presently no indication that this trend will abate.”- Swedish foreign affairs.
The conflict in Afghanistan is by no means new; Afghanistan history is undeniably tumultuous, but also culturally rich and successful. Sweden has continually been supportive of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, and in fact Sweden has the sixth highest refugee population in the world. However, we realize that if the conflict that causes these people to flee their nations need to be confronted, and that accepting these thousands of civilians has in some ways enabled the conflict to continue. Sweden will never turn our back on the Afghan citizens, but it is no secret that Sweden has partaken in deporting Afghan asylum seekers. This is a last resort for us, we want to support every nation and every person and provide them with a community that is safe for them. No one deserves the atrocities that have taken place in Afghanistan due to evolving terrorism. In a perfect world we would be able to offer all refugees the ability to life in Sweden, but it has taken its toll on our economic resources, and we feel that it is time for other nations in the EU to step up and protect Afghan asylum seekers in the way that Sweden has from the beginning of the crisis. Sweden has been a willing participant in Operation Enduring Freedom to eliminate the Taliban in Afghanistan, but this struggle is far from over. In recent years Sweden has regrettably had to place sanctions on Afghanistan to ensure that the Taliban is not given the opportunity to continue growth. The most important aspect of the Afghanistan conflict is to eliminate terrorist organizations and foster long-term growth of the nation. Sweden has continually monitored troops in Afghanistan to ensure citizens humanitarian needs are being meet. Sweden understands the full consequence of allowing the conflict in Afghanistan to continue. Although Sweden shares a deep cultural respect for all people and all religions we have a zero tolerance approach to terrorism. Sweden would like to reiterate that we have the utmost respect for the Afghan civilians, however we will not tolerate the actions of terrorist groups on their community, and the international community as a whole. To further address the conflict in Afghanistan Sweden strongly suggests: Reassess terms of sanctions against terrorist groups. Continue the work of UN sanctions regime 1267. Work with Afghanistan government to combat terrorism. Revisit and reaffirm the Security Council Resolution 2253 (2015) to also cover ISIL (Da'esh), and the regime is also known as the 1269 regime. Support NGOs for humanitarian aid. Support the formation of a taskforce in hopes of monitoring long term stability in Afghanistan.
Sweden believes that the international community must condemn violence in Afghanistan and create a united front against these actions. If these actions are taken Sweden is hopeful for the long term peaceful future of the Afghan citizens.
