A coalition of women’s protest movements has condemned Russia’s recognition of the Taliban, calling it the endorsement of a regime responsible for sweeping human rights abuses and the systematic oppression of women.
In a sharply worded statement released Sunday, the Independent Coalition of Women’s Protest Movements of Afghanistan described Moscow’s move as “shaking the bloody hands of human rights violators.”
The coalition — which includes educators, journalists, civil society leaders and former professionals forced out of public life by the Taliban — said that recognizing the group ignores the suffering of Afghan women who have been barred from education, employment, and basic freedoms since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
“We, the women of Afghanistan, are the living witnesses and primary victims of the Taliban regime,” the statement read. “We are educated women, activists, teachers, journalists, artists and mothers who have been stripped of our most basic human rights.”
The group said that under Taliban rule, “being a woman has become a crime,” and accused Russia of legitimizing those abuses. “What human rights standard, what ethical principle, what political logic can justify recognizing a terrorist, misogynistic group?” the coalition asked. “Is silencing girls in schools, flogging women in the streets, and burying hope beneath compulsory burqas a definition of political stability?”
The coalition called on the international community to revoke any formal recognition of the Taliban and urged democratic nations to impose coordinated political, legal and financial sanctions on Taliban leaders and supporters. It further demanded that all engagement with the group be conditioned on the full restoration of women’s rights — including access to education, work, free expression, and political participation.
Last week, Russia officially recognized the Taliban rule, becoming the first permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to do so.
Despite the recognition, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there are no current plans for President Putin to meet directly with Taliban leaders, although official contacts would continue “at various levels.”
The recognition has drawn widespread criticism from civil society and international human rights groups, who warn that legitimizing the Taliban rule without conditions will embolden further repression, particularly against women and girls.
