WASHINGTON — Matthew Miller, the spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, asserted Thursday that human rights have been central to the Biden administration’s foreign policy since its inception, responding to concerns that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan has contributed to human rights violations in the country.
“Human rights have been at the forefront of our policy since day one of this administration, and we’ll continue to prioritize them,” Miller said during a press briefing. He declined to comment directly on whether the administration had lost ground due to its human rights policies.
The remarks follow criticism from human rights advocates who argue that the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan in 2021 created a vacuum that has led to widespread rights abuses, particularly under Taliban rule.
Addressing insecurity in Pakistan
Miller also addressed the growing insecurity in Pakistan, calling the country an “important partner” of the United States.
“We are committed to using every day of our time in office to advance all of the important priorities that the President has set forward,” Miller said. “Pakistan continues to be an important partner of the United States, and we expect that relationship to continue.”
His comments come amid escalating violence in Pakistan. Ahmad Zia Seraj, a former intelligence chief of Afghanistan, noted on social media platform X that Pakistan faces an “ascending graph” of terrorist attacks, warning that the situation could worsen.
“This was expected,” Seraj wrote, adding that Pakistan had been repeatedly warned about the risks of using terrorism as a strategic tool for political purposes. “The region, including Pakistan, should not expect anything different as long as the command and control center of terrorism is in Afghanistan.”
Seraj cautioned that militant groups might soon transition from consolidating their influence to launching offensive operations, urging regional actors to look beyond short-term national interests and address the broader threat of terrorism.
Taliban deny involvement
Taliban have dismissed accusations of playing a role in Pakistan’s rising insecurity, labeling the violence as an internal issue for Islamabad.
Experts, however, suggest that the Taliban may be adopting a strategy similar to Pakistan’s past policies toward Afghanistan, using regional instability as a political lever.
The growing tensions highlight the complex dynamics in the region, where longstanding grievances, cross-border militancy, and shifting alliances continue to shape the political landscape.
