Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, reiterated that Afghanistan remains a priority in U.S. foreign policy. Speaking at a press conference, Miller emphasized the country’s ongoing engagement with Afghanistan despite the challenges of recent years.
“Of course it is, and we will continue to stay engaged on Afghanistan. It remains an enduring priority,” Miller said in response to a question whether Afghanistan remains a priority for US foreign policy.
He added that U.S. efforts in Afghanistan will now be led by Karen Decker, Chief of Mission of the U.S. Mission to Afghanistan, Special Envoy Rina Amiri, and Ambassador John Mark Pommersheim.
Miller’s comments come as Thomas West’s tenure as U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan has concluded, with Decker, Amiri, and Pommersheim taking over key roles in managing U.S. policy toward the country.
Meanwhile, human rights activists and international organizations have expressed frustration with the U.S.’s response to the Taliban’s human rights violations since the group returned to power in Afghanistan three years ago. Critics argue that the U.S. has yet to take firm or concrete action against the Taliban’s widespread abuses, particularly regarding women’s rights.
In a related development, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, and Canada issued a joint statement on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly, announcing their intention to file a complaint against the Taliban with the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
The complaint centers on violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
The four nations warned that if the Taliban do not end their violations of women’s rights within six months, they will pursue legal action at the ICJ in The Hague.
However, the United States has not yet formally endorsed this initiative.
