AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan on Monday urged for the removal of the UN Security Council sanctions on its top government officials.

Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the Security Council’s move to update the sanctions list “violates individuals’ rights and is ineffective,” local broadcaster Tolo News reported.

The latest sanctions list includes the prime minister, the deputy prime minister for economic affairs, and the interior minister, Tolo News added.

Mujahid described the council’s list as a violation of the people’s rights, saying such sanctions also affect the public.

The UN Security Council last week updated the list, under which 22 senior Afghan government officials remain subject to the council’s sanctions.

The sanctions include travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes.