Despite ongoing calls from the international community for the Taliban to respect human rights, particularly those of women, and to form an inclusive government, Yaqoob Mujahid, the Taliban’s defense minister, has insisted that the world should not interfere in their system of governance.
In an interview with the Taliban-run state television, RTA, Mujahid emphasized that foreign countries should refrain from meddling in Afghanistan’s internal affairs, including the Taliban’s approach to governance. He urged the international community to focus only on issues that directly threaten their own interests.
“The international community should never interfere in the internal affairs of other nations. They should not meddle with beliefs, systems, or forms of governance. Their discussions should be limited to issues that they perceive as threats to themselves or matters of common interest,” Mujahid said.
Taliban officials have consistently framed issues such as political structure, human rights, and women’s rights as internal matters. However, the United Nations has issued statements reminding the Taliban that Afghanistan is a signatory to international human rights conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
The international community has made clear that the formation of an inclusive government, respect for human rights, and the removal of strict policies against women, such as bans on work and education, are essential conditions for normalizing relations with the Taliban. Despite these demands, the Taliban has shown little willingness to engage in discussions on human rights issues.
Women’s rights activists have urged the international community to maintain pressure on the Taliban to establish an inclusive government and protect human rights. Inside Afghanistan, women have repeatedly protested against the Taliban’s restrictive policies, often facing violent crackdowns in response.
As the third anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan on August 15 approaches, the regime remains unrecognized by any government worldwide. Women in Afghanistan continue to call for their rights to be prioritized in international negotiations with the Taliban.
“We want the international community to stand by us now that they have brought these problems upon us, to raise their voices, and to help us out of this humiliation and disgrace,” a Kabul resident said.
