"First Official Talks Between US and Taliban Since 2021: Key Highlights to Know"
US Urges Taliban to Address Human Rights Decline in Afghanistan, Highlights Concerns on Humanitarian Crisis
chandni
In a significant development, U.S. officials recently engaged in a crucial meeting with representatives of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. The historic event took place in Doha on July 30 and 31, marking the first direct interaction between the two parties since 2021. Led by the US special representative to Afghanistan, Thomas West, the meeting sought to address a range of pressing issues concerning the war-torn nation.
In an official press note released by the US Department of State, US officials have conveyed their concerns to the Taliban government in Afghanistan, urging them to reverse policies that have resulted in a decline in human rights conditions in the country. Particular attention was given to the rights of women, girls, and vulnerable communities.
The US also expressed apprehension over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which requires immediate attention and action.
Notably, the Taliban government has imposed various restrictions on women, including bans on their employment in offices, solo travel, visits to parks on specific days, and the closure of beauty salons.
Despite these concerns, US officials acknowledged the Taliban's commitment to preventing Afghanistan's territory from being used against the United States and its allies, indicating a potential area of common interest.
Moreover, the US noted that the Taliban has continued to enforce the ban on poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, resulting in reduced cultivation during the most recent growing season. This ban dates back to 1995 when Mullah Mohammad Umar assumed leadership of the Taliban and officially prohibited opium cultivation, which had been rampant during the Soviet Union's withdrawal from Afghanistan in the 1990s.
On the Afghanistan government's perspective, Soheil Shaheen, head of the political bureau in Afghanistan, expressed that the dialogue between the US and Afghanistan was constructive and beneficial. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the Foreign Ministry spokesman, revealed that the discussions encompassed confidence-building measures, practical steps, lifting sanctions, releasing Afghanistan's foreign exchange reserves, and maintaining economic stability.
Currently, following the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, no country has formally recognized the government. However, the UK and the US have recently expressed their willingness to cooperate in efforts to bring stability and peace to Afghanistan.
