Lack Of Leadership & Global Support Plague Taliban’s Opponents, Say US Intel Agencies

On Tuesday, Amnesty International stated that these three Afghan activists have been arbitrarily detained by the Taliban.

The organisation emphasised that the Taliban has no evidence against them, but continues to hold them in detention.

In this latest initiative, Amnesty International aims to intensify domestic pressure on the Taliban, in order to ensure the freedom of these activists. The organisation has urged the public to participate in the campaign, advocating for the prompt and unconditional release of the activists.

Ahmad Fahim Ahmadi and Seddiqullah Afghan, who worked with the "Fekr Behtar" organisation, were arrested by Taliban intelligence forces on October 17, 2023 from their office in the Kart-e-Char area of Kabul. They were held in the custody of the Taliban's intelligence for 72 days, and later, the Taliban transferred them to Pul-e-Charkhi prison.

Amnesty International has stated that the Taliban detained these two individuals on charges of initiating protests, encouraging women to participate in demonstrations, and collaborating with the girls' robotics team to leave the country.

Manizha Seddiqi, a member of the Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women, was forcibly taken by Taliban intelligence forces on October 9, 2023, and later transferred to the Pul-e-Charkhi prison.

Amnesty International claims that these individuals have been detained on fabricated charges, and they have not been given the right to a fair trial.

The Front has claimed that its forces have not suffered any casualties in the operation.

In a statement on X social media platform, NRF stated that it will continue its attacks against the Taliban.

Over the past week, the National Resistance Front has carried out several attacks on Taliban positions in Taleqan, Parwan, Herat, and Takhar. According to the front, multiple Taliban members were killed and injured in these operations.

One participant in this meeting emphasised that they insisted that the Taliban "do not believe in dialogue”.

Faraidoon Elham, former deputy director of Administrative Office of President, present at the session, told Afghanistan International on a call, that civil activists who met with Decker in Istanbul explicitly stated that the Taliban had shown over the past two and a half years that they do not believe in dialogue.

Elham added that the last Doha meeting indicated the Taliban's fear of even encountering four Afghan civil activists.

Referring to the establishment of thousands of religious madrassas under Taliban control in Afghanistan, he stated that these centres would become a "cancerous seed" not only for the Afghan people, but for the entire world. According to him, the religious fundamentalism promoted by the Taliban poses a serious threat to the security of the region, Europe, and the United States.

Elham had said that the world must work together to establish an "inclusive government" in Afghanistan, and the political system in the country must change.

Farzana Ebrahimi, another civil activist present at the meeting with Karen Decker in Istanbul, has sent the complete text of her speech to Afghanistan International. Her speech does not indicate any support for "engagement with the Taliban”, She did not consider war and violence as a solution for Afghanistan and stated that a political solution should be sought to overcome the crisis.

This civil activist emphasised on the formation of a framework to provide the groundwork for the establishment of a popular government consisting of all ethnic groups.

In her speech, Ebrahimi mentioned that people, especially vulnerable communities like the Hazaras, women, and former government officials, are currently enduring widespread physical and mental insecurity.

She stated that despite claims about ensuring security and fighting terrorism, Hazara and Shia communities in Afghanistan are experiencing violent incidents that explicitly qualify as "genocide" and "crimes against humanity”.

She stressed that Afghanistan is experiencing a deep, multi-faceted, and complex crisis for which the Taliban is responsible.

Ali Folladwand, an Afghan physician in Istanbul, also provided the text of his speech to Afghanistan International, in which there is no visible expression of support for engagement with the Taliban.

In his speech, it has been mentioned that the "highly centralised and exclusive structure and destructive narrative dominated by power in Afghanistan" is the fundamental problem in the country. According to him, the power narrative in Afghanistan is based on "expulsion, monopolising the power and opportunities in the hands of one ethnic group, and expelling other ethnicities residing in this country”.

He stated that Afghanistan's history shows that "until this fundamental problem is resolved, Afghanistan will not be a peaceful and progressing country”.

In this civil activist's speech, it has been stated that the Taliban's rule has made the situation challenging for everyone in the country except for their own group. According to Folladwand, "religious and ethnic minorities such as Hazaras, Panjshiris, Uzbeks, Sikhs, and Sufis are under intense pressure”.

As an example, he criticised the complete removal of Hazaras from political power by the Taliban, stating that the Taliban seeks to "completely eradicate Hazaras from the political arena”. He also criticised the occupation of land and homes of Hazara people by Taliban commanders.

In this speech, it has been stated that US aid to Afghanistan under Taliban control should not be unconditional.

Karen Decker, Charge d’Affaires of the US embassy for Afghanistan, disclosed on March 8 the specifics of her meeting with Afghan activists in Istanbul. She shared on the X social media platform: "Lots of talent and energy here ready to support a political roadmap and engagement with the Taliban." This note was followed with widespread criticism on social media.

In reaction to Decker’s remarks, Michael McCaul, US Congressman, expressed his disagreement, stating, any engagement with the Taliban is a slap to the face of Afghan people.

Quraishi added that this restriction was implemented starting Monday evening.

In a statement to Bakhtar News Agency, which is under Taliban control, he stated that Pakistan has not provided a clear reason for the closure of the crossing.

As per this local Taliban official, Pakistani border authorities have issued instructions to border management officials, directing them not to permit travel to Pakistan for individuals lacking the necessary visas.

Quraishi added that the group is working to resolve the issue as soon as possible.

This is while the local sources at the Torkham border crossing reported two days ago that Pakistani authorities had set March 31 as the last day for travel without a passport and visa.

Nearly two months ago, Pakistani authorities had also restricted the crossing of patients without passports and visas at the Torkham border crossing.

Rafi stated, "At least 51% of the population are males, and the remaining are females."

He acknowledged that they do not currently have the necessary budget for an accurate population census. On Tuesday, Radio Television Afghanistan, controlled by the Taliban, reported, citing Rafi, that the government plans to develop a new programme aimed at achieving it.

Meanwhile, he disclosed that 76 active centres are distributing electronic IDs in Afghanistan, with most of these centres operating in Kabul.

Earlier, the Taliban's NSIA had announced that 12,288,000 electronic IDs have been issued so far.

Rafi mentioned that the group’s NSIA has conducted four significant surveys across Afghanistan in the year 1402 [Hijri calendar].

Following the takeover of power in August 2021, the Taliban announced their intention to conduct a population census in Afghanistan.