Exclusive Talks Between Taliban and UN Envoys Draw Outrage for Excluding Afghan Women
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities are set to engage with international envoys on June 30 in Qatar, in talks organized by the United Nations to promote dialogue. However, the decision to exclude Afghan women from these discussions has sparked criticism from rights groups.
Despite lacking recognition from any state, the Taliban government’s interaction with the international community has raised concerns. The upcoming talks in Doha will cover economic matters and counter-narcotics, with representatives from the U.N., the U.S., and the Taliban.
Amnesty International’s Agnes Callamard warns against legitimizing the Taliban’s oppressive gender-based system by neglecting human rights discussions. The exclusion of women from the talks has prompted strong reactions, with G7+ countries expressing disappointment over the absence of a human rights agenda.
As the Taliban asserts control in Afghanistan based on strict Islamic laws, the international community faces challenges in addressing human rights concerns. Civil society groups, especially women’s rights activists, play a crucial role in such discussions.