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BRICS Summit in Russia Urges Taliban to Lift Ban on Girls’ Education, Protect Human Rights

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – During the BRICS Summit held from October 22 to 24 in Kazan, Russia, leaders from the member nations urged the Taliban to lift its ban on girls’ education, highlighting ongoing concerns about human rights and educational access in Afghanistan.

In their declaration released on October 23, BRICS leaders stressed the importance of protecting the fundamental rights of all Afghan citizens, particularly women, girls, and various ethnic groups. They emphasized the need for a peaceful and immediate resolution to Afghanistan’s challenges to enhance regional security and stability.

The leaders affirmed their vision of Afghanistan as an “independent, united, and peaceful country free from terrorism, war, and drugs.” They called for “visible and verifiable” actions from the Taliban to prevent the exploitation of Afghan territory by terrorist groups.

The summit also underscored the essential role of regional platforms and neighboring countries in addressing Afghanistan’s issues, welcoming initiatives aimed at promoting stability and peace. Additionally, BRICS leaders highlighted the urgent need for immediate and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.

Attended by representatives from over twenty countries, the summit provided a platform for bilateral discussions, with several officials specifically addressing the situation in Afghanistan.

This summit represents a critical moment in the international discourse on Afghanistan, with BRICS nations advocating for actionable change and support for the Afghan populace amid worsening crises in the country.

Established in 2006 as the “Bric” group by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the coalition expanded to include South Africa in 2010 and became BRICS. Last year, Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined the group.

In September, the Taliban formally requested participation in this year’s BRICS summit but was not invited. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, no country has officially recognized them as the legitimate government, although many neighboring countries have either maintained or reopened diplomatic missions in Afghanistan.