KABUL, Afghanistan — A coalition of Afghan women’s groups has called on President Trump to pursue the prosecution of Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, accusing him of betraying American values and facilitating the Taliban’s return to power.
In an open letter addressed to Trump, the women alleged that Khalilzad “betrayed” American values and “transformed the Taliban from a terrorist group into a legitimate force” through his role as the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation. They argued that his actions directly contributed to the oppression and suffering Afghan women now face under Taliban rule.
“He repeatedly claimed that the Taliban had changed and would honor their commitments — claims that have now been proven false,” the letter states. “Afghanistan has become a safe haven for terrorist groups, including Al Qaeda and ISIS, while women are subjected to killings, brutal laws and systemic repression.”
The letter, signed by more than a dozen women’s organizations and protest movements — including the Afghan Women’s Lantern Movement for Freedom, the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement and the Bamyan Women’s Social Council — urges the United States to hold Khalilzad accountable in a court of law.
“As direct victims of this betrayal, Afghan women are witnessing the catastrophic consequences of Khalilzad’s policies,” the groups wrote, calling for what they described as a fair and transparent legal process.
The letter further claims that Khalilzad’s diplomatic efforts not only caused a humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan but also posed a broader threat to global security.
Khalilzad, who led negotiations with the Taliban under both the Trump and Biden administrations, has not publicly responded to the letter.
