The Afghan Embassy in Australia has announced that the Parliamentary Friendship Group for the People of Afghanistan in the Australian Parliament has resumed its activities. According to the embassy, the purpose of reviving this group is to strengthen solidarity with the Afghan people and maintain attention on the situation in the country.
According to the embassy’s press release, the ceremony marking the relaunch of the group was attended by several members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, representatives of the Australian government, civil society organizations, and members of the Afghan diaspora community.
During the meeting, Julian Hill, co-chair of the Parliamentary Friendship Group for the People of Afghanistan, expressed appreciation for the role of the Afghan people in strengthening relations between the two countries. He stated that supporting human rights and maintaining engagement with the people of Afghanistan are among the group’s key objectives. He also commended the diplomatic efforts of the Afghan Embassy and the contributions of the Afghan community in Australia.
Matt Thistlethwaite, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, also reaffirmed Australia’s continued support for the people of Afghanistan. He stated that the current situation in Afghanistan should not become permanent and that the international community must continue to remain attentive to the issue.
He further emphasized support for the rights of women and girls and the importance of holding the Taliban accountable for human rights violations, calling for sustained attention to the human rights situation in Afghanistan.
Monique Ryan, another co-chair of the group, highlighted the longstanding relationship between the peoples of Afghanistan and Australia. She acknowledged the role of the Afghan-Australian community in raising awareness about developments in Afghanistan and conveying the perspectives of its people.
The Ambassador of Afghanistan to Australia also welcomed the Australian Parliament’s decision to revive the group, describing it as a sign of continued political and moral support for the Afghan people. He stated that the people of Afghanistan are in need of solidarity and support, and emphasized that international assistance should continue to be directed toward supporting them.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, participants stressed the need to support the rights of women and girls, preserve human rights achievements, and maintain global attention on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
