WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES – US Congresswoman Nancy Mace has introduced a congressional bill rejecting the legitimacy of the Taliban and designating the group as a “foreign terrorist organization.”
In a press release on Thursday, July 25, the Congresswoman said that the bill, titled the “Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act of 2024,” sends a clear message that the US will not legitimize regimes controlled by terrorists.
“Freedom and justice demand we reject tyranny and oppression in all forms. Our bill ensures America never recognizes the Taliban’s terror-driven regime,” said Congresswoman Mace. “By prohibiting any federal actions implying their legitimacy and designating them as state sponsors of terrorism, we stand firm against this rogue state’s barbarism,” she added.
“The Taliban are terrorists, plain and simple,” she emphasized.
According to the press release, key points of the bill include prohibiting any US government entity from recognizing the Taliban as the government of Afghanistan or allocating funds to support such policies.
The bill would also require the US Department of State to classify the Taliban regime as a state sponsor of terrorism and designate the group as a foreign terrorist organization.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, many countries in the region have maintained ties with the regime, but no country has officially recognized it as the government of Afghanistan. This is largely due to concerns about its connections with international terrorist groups, its violations of human rights—especially its treatment of women and girls—and the lack of inclusivity in its government.
This is the first time such a bill has been introduced in the US Congress to prevent the recognition of the Taliban and designate the group as an international terrorist organization.
Earlier in March, US Senator Marco Rubio introduced a bill calling for the suspension of US aid to Afghanistan due to concerns about terrorism financing.
Senator Rubio’s bill, titled the “Stop Funding Global Terrorists Act of 2024,” would prohibit the US from making “any voluntary or assessed contributions” to the United Nations for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.
“American taxpayer dollars should not benefit terrorist organizations, like the Taliban. Unfortunately, we are seeing this scenario play out today, in real time.” Mr. Rubio told Fox News.
“Until we can be sure, we should withhold contributions to the U.N.,” he added.
