In the aftermath of US special envoy Rina Amiri’s statement, a group of activists from Afghanistan, currently in exile in Pakistan, have raised questions regarding her engagement with the Taliban in Doha. Amiri had stated that she was requested by human rights defenders from Afghanistan to participate in talks with the Taliban.
“Having been urged extensively by Afghans and human rights defenders on the need to directly engage the Taliban on human rights, particularly the extreme restrictions on women and girls, I joined my colleagues in talks with the Taliban,” Amiri said in a tweet on Monday.
According to the activists, since the deal was struck between the US and the Taliban in Doha two years ago, Afghanistan has been subjected to “a reign of terror and numerous violations of human rights.” The Taliban’s actions, they claim, have included targeting security forces, suppressing protestors and critics, and denying girls access to education by closing schools and universities.
Furthermore, the activists lament that women have been marginalized from political and social participation, with their opportunities to work in both private and public sectors severely restricted.
Throughout this challenging period, the people of Afghanistan, especially the brave women protestors from various regions, have raised their voices fearlessly against the atrocities committed by the Taliban. They have demanded justice, the closure of the Doha office, an end to financial support for the Taliban, and travel bans on their leaders, garnering support both domestically and globally.
In response to Amiri’s statement, the activists inquire about the specific group of women, particularly “the courageous protestors,” who authorized her to represent them and speak on their behalf to the Taliban. They question the legitimacy of the Taliban “lobbyists,” who have been linked to perpetuating violence and oppression, as the rightful representatives of Afghan women.
Despite continuous pleas from the Afghan people, especially women, to sever ties with the Taliban, close their Doha office, halt financial support, and impose travel bans on Taliban leaders, the activists express bewilderment as to why Amiri chose to comply with the requests of the Taliban “lobbyists” while disregarding the urgent calls of the Afghan people.
The statement by the activists reiterates that the “lobbyists” of the Taliban, along with their leaders and opportunists, cannot authentically represent Afghan women. They firmly assert that any discussions or negotiations concerning Afghanistan’s future must include the voices and rights of victimized Afghan women, or they will be rejected and boycotted.
In an impassioned plea, the protestors and activists implore Ms. Amiri and the international community to steadfastly stand beside the women of Afghanistan and actively pursue accountability for criminals and human rights violators. They emphasize that mere lip service through legal announcements and partisan tweets is insufficient, advocating for a confrontational approach to deter criminal groups like the Taliban.
In conclusion, the statement calls for genuine action and tangible steps to restore peace, justice, and prosperity to Afghanistan. It implores all individuals and entities to show solidarity with the brave women of Afghanistan and work towards a brighter, more equitable future for the nation.
A US delegation led by Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West, Special Envoy for Afghan Women, Girls, and Human Rights Rina Amiri, and Chief of the US Mission to Afghanistan based in Doha Karen Decker, held a two-day meeting with senior Taliban representatives and technocratic professionals in Doha on July 30 and 31, according to a statement by the US State Department on Monday.
US officials urged the Taliban to reverse policies responsible for the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on the rights of women, girls, and vulnerable communities, the State Department statement read.
