Recognition of Taliban Must Not Be Discussed in Doha Meeting, Says Afghan Rights Group

Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) reacted to the upcoming Doha meeting and said that any attempt to recognise the Taliban is unacceptable to Afghan people. AIHRC said that recognition of the Taliban must not be part of discussions of the Doha meeting.

However, the rights group said in a statement on Thursday that it welcomes constructive dialogue between the relevant actors and governments on the situation in Afghanistan.

According to AIHRC, the Taliban has a track record of human rights violations and currently stands against human rights values and democratic principles.

AIHRC urged the United Nations to discuss the fundamental rights of Afghan citizens including the grave situation of women and ethnic and religious minorities in the Doha meeting.

The rights group also said that representatives of national and international human rights organisations must be invited to attend the Doha meeting.

AIHRC also stressed on access of media to the Doha meeting and said that the meeting should not be held behind closed doors.

The Doha meeting between the UN Secretary-General and special envoys of various countries is scheduled to be held on May 1 and 2 in Qatar.

Earlier, Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, had said at Princeton University that in order to prevent the deterioration of the situation in Afghanistan, it is necessary to engage with the group. She had expressed hopes that the first steps of the official recognition of the Taliban would be discussed at the Doha meeting.

The statements of the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations have been met with sharp criticisms from various political groups, women, and human rights organisations.