Coalitions and networks of women’s rights defenders in Afghanistan have voiced their concern in an open letter addressed to Anthony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, regarding the recent meeting of US officials with the Taliban in Qatar.
In the letter undersigned by over 50 organizations, they accused the US and other actors of ignoring the demands of Afghan citizens, which include the prevention of war crimes, the formation of an inclusive government, and the protection of human rights, especially women’s rights and vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.
“We believe for a sustainable political pathway for Afghanistan, the US and all other actors should be transparent and accountable to people of Afghanistan and should not fabricate and instrumentalize our demand,” part of their letter reads.
The coalitions also asked the US government to explain the latest statement issued by the State Department regarding the country’s meeting with the Taliban officials in Doha on July 30 and 31.
The statement from the US State Department said that US officials “identified areas for confidence building in support of the Afghan people” in their talks with the Taliban. The coalitions asked Blinken to clarify, “What are these areas?”
US officials also urged the Taliban to reverse policies responsible for the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women, girls, and vulnerable communities. The coalitions asked, “What was the Taliban’s response?”
Finally, US officials emphasized the immediate and unconditional release of detained US citizens, noting that these detentions were a significant obstacle to positive engagement. The coalitions asked, “What about the 17 million women of Afghanistan who are imprisoned at their homes?”
The coalitions concluded their letter by reminding the US and other actors that “Afghanistan has changed.” They said that Afghan women and youth “do not allow anyone to make assumptions of their aspirations and impose their political agenda on people of Afghanistan against our will.”
The coalitions vowed to continue to raise their voices and hold everyone who is dealing with Afghanistan affairs accountable.
