Participants at a London meeting on Afghanistan called for the creation of an inclusive political process, urging greater international engagement as they met with British lawmakers on the second day of talks on Wednesday.
In meetings with members of Parliament in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, participants — including Afghan political figures, civil society representatives and media activists — discussed the country’s worsening humanitarian and economic conditions, including rising poverty. They called for renewed international support for the Afghan people and emphasized the need to resume student visa programs for Afghan applicants.
The discussions were part of a two-day gathering titled “Toward Unity and Trust,” organized by Women for Afghanistan and attended by about 40 participants. The meeting aimed to strengthen unity among Afghan stakeholders, build trust and identify shared principles to address the country’s crisis.
In a closing statement, participants said restoring political legitimacy, the rule of law and inclusive participation in power were essential to resolving Afghanistan’s challenges. They said any future political system must be based on the will of the people and grounded in a modern constitutional framework.
The statement also emphasized rebuilding trust among political actors, reducing divisions and strengthening coordination among groups opposed to the Taliban.
Participants outlined a set of principles they described as nonnegotiable, including respect for human rights, freedom of expression, meaningful participation of women and young people, and a democratic system rooted in citizenship and equality.
They described Afghanistan’s current situation as the result of what they called the Taliban’s misuse of religion, along with the concentration of power and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, particularly for women and girls.
During the first day of the meeting, participants articulated broader visions for the country’s future. Hussain Yasa said he envisioned “an Afghanistan free of discrimination … a country for all its citizens.” Bashir Ahmad Ansari emphasized independence in foreign affairs, internal freedoms and social justice as core principles.
On the final day, participants also stressed the importance of dialogue and coordination. Masoud Trishtwal said discussions highlighted “the necessity of dialogue and exchange of views to solve Afghanistan’s problems,” as well as the need for cohesion among stakeholders.
British lawmakers, including committee leaders and members of parliamentary groups focused on Afghanistan, attended the meetings and expressed continued support for the Afghan people, according to the organizers.
The London talks followed a first round of discussions held in Islamabad last year.
