Conflict Alerts # 649, 12 July 2024
Nuha Aamina In the news
On 30 June, a two-day meeting at Doha took place between the UN and the Taliban. DiCarlo (representing the UN), Qatar's special envoy to Afghanistan, twenty-four envoys from other countries, and Zabiullah Mujahid (the Chief Spokesperson of Afghanistan) participated in the discussions. The UN sought to discuss peace within and beyond Afghan borders. The Taliban was interested in discussing the restrictions imposed on the financial and banking systems and alternative livelihoods for farmers after banning the cultivation of opioids. Earlier, on 29 June, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) wrote a letter to the UN Secretary Council (UNSC), urging the body to reconsider its decision to engage with the Taliban regime in the Doha-III meeting. It outlined that before acknowledging Afghanistan on the international stage, there is a need to address gender apartheid and protect the human rights of women and religious minorities.
On 1 July, the third meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan focused on assisting the private sector and fighting narcotics. According to DiCarlo, there was a “deep international concern- from special envoys” and her “about the ongoing serious restrictions on women and girls.” She said, “Afghanistan cannot return to the international fold, or fully develop economically and socially" if half of its population doesn't contribute to the growth.
Former commissioner of the Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan, Shabnam Salehi, described this meeting as “inconclusive” due to the non-inclusion of women and the UN’s approach as “misguided”. At a press briefing, the Taliban stated that the discussion around women's rights was “Afghanistan's issue.”
Issues at large
First, the ground situation in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover. In the UN’s recent reports, since the takeover, there have been at least "800 human rights violations," "218 extrajudicial deaths," and "14 enforced disappearances of former government officials." In 2023, Afghanistan ranked last in the Women's Peace and Security Index, which aims to assess countries' progress in women's inclusion, justice, and security. It faced one of the most severe humanitarian crises, with about two-thirds of its population needing humanitarian aid. UN's reports stated that by mid-2023, approximately four million civilians were suffering from acute malnourishment, including nearly three million children under the age of five.
Second, the Doha Talks. Taliban was not invited to the first one in May 2023. The second was held in February 2024. Earlier dialogues were centred around human rights and influencing the Taliban. They did not succeed and could be the reason for the UN to engage directly with the Taliban.
In perspective
The third round of Doha talks is significant because it marks the first time the Taliban is engaging with international envoys on Afghanistan since coming to power in 2021. The meeting started with the “obstacles” the Taliban is dealing with, such as developing the private sector and receiving inputs from the special envoys. Throughout the session, the issues of human rights, mostly about women and girls were raised, even with subjects around developing the economy and counter-narcotics.
Previously, several countries were hesitant to recognize the Taliban, and this sentiment was reiterated during the UN-led meeting, clarifying that the conference was not intended to legitimize Afghanistan's authority but to discuss humanitarian issues. There has been a shift from isolating the state to engaging in diplomatic discussions. These talks could potentially increase the Taliban's bargaining power, compelling countries to engage with them as the de facto authority.