Thomas West, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, said that there is a need for national political dialogue in Afghanistan.

West described the situation for Afghan girls, women, and minorities as repressive and the public expression as shrinking.

The US Special Representative for Afghanistan said that he has met with Shahrzad Akbar, the former chairwoman of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.

The Taliban have been accused of widespread human rights violations since taking power in Afghanistan.

After their takeover of Afghanistan, the group dissolved Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and several other government bodies.