Taliban Stands In Way of Their International Recognition, Says US State Dept Spokesperson

Vedant Patel, the principal deputy spokesperson of the US Department of State, during a press conference, said that the Taliban stand in the way of their own desires for international legitimacy.

Patel pointed to the Taliban’s restriction on girls’ education and said that by violating women’s and girls’ rights, this group is holding back Afghanistan’s future.

On Wednesday, during a press conference, Patel added that equal access of half of the population of Afghanistan to their rights is a key issue regarding international recognition of the Taliban government.

He emphasised that Washington still has tools to hold the Taliban accountable.

In more the 20 months since taking power in Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women and girls’ activities.

Most regional and global players and organisations have stressed that the recognition of the Taliban should be dependent on the group’s performance and respect towards the rights of all Afghan citizens.

During the press conference on Wednesday, Patel also pointed to the temporary settlement of Afghan refugees in the Philippines and said that the US is committed to the Afghans who have supported the country for two decades.