The Islamic Emirate on Thursday reacted to the UN credential committee's choice to defer a decision on who will represent Afghanistan at the United Nations, meaning the Islamic Emirate will not be allowed into the world body for now.

The Islamic Emirate's proposed ambassador to the UN, Suhail Shaheen, in reaction to the UN committee’s decision, said “this decision is not based on legal rules and justice because they have deprived the people of Afghanistan of their legitimate right.” 

He added: “We hope that this right is handed over to the representative of the government of Afghanistan in the near future so that we can be in a position to resolve issues of the people of Afghanistan effectively and efficiently and maintain positive interaction with the world."

“Undoubtedly, it is the right of Afghans. We are disappointed with this. It should have been solved earlier and the Afghans should have been granted their rights,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.  

Russia, China and the US are on the 9-member committee which gathered at the UN General Assembly to consider the credentials of all 193 members in the United Nations. 

It wasn’t clear whether the representative chair would be taken up by the ambassador of the former government to the UN, Ghulal Ahmad Ishaqzai, or if it will remain unoccupied. However, former ambassador Ishaqzai said on Twitter that he would be continuing as Afghan representative at the UN assembly.  

“This government is not inclusive. There are no women in it. At the decision-making level, there are no youth and experts. Those who are not Taliban, are not part of the government. The rights of women have yet to be clarified,” said Toreq Farhadi, an international relations analyst.  

Afghanistan secured membership in the United Nations in 1946. Since then, a total of 13 ambassadors have represented Afghanistan at the UN.