With 3rd Doha Meet Imminent, EU Special Envoy Meets Chinese Ambassador In Kabul

The individual received 39 lashes and was sentenced to one and a half years in prison.

The sentence was executed in public following a ruling from the primary court in the Sayed Khel district of Parwan.

In the past week, nearly 20 individuals, including men and women in Parwan, Khost, Ghazni, and Paktika, have been publicly flogged for various charges such as extramarital relations, theft, and drug use.

Human rights organisations have expressed concerns over the lack of fair trial standards in Taliban-controlled prisons and courts. According to a report by the human rights group Rawadari, the Taliban courts are plagued by discriminatory rulings, torture, forced confessions, a lack of independence and impartiality, and violations of the presumption of innocence.

This decision of the Central Asian country could influence Vladimir Putin's view on removing the Taliban from the list of terrorist groups in Russia.

TASS, the Russian state news agency, reported that Tokayev said that Kazakhstan has removed the Taliban from the terrorist list in order to develop economic cooperation with Afghanistan.

During a meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) countries, the Kazakh president said that Kazakhstan, considering the importance of expanding trade and economic cooperation with Afghanistan and understanding that the Taliban government will be in power for the "long-term," has removed this group from the list of terrorist organisations.

According to the President of Kazakhstan, one of the strategic tasks at the current stage is the active participation of Afghanistan in inter-regional relations.

Previously, senior Russian officials had also spoken about the possibility of removing the Taliban from the list of terrorist organisations in their country.

Putin, on May 28, considered establishing relations with the Taliban a necessity.

He said that the Taliban controls Afghanistan and its territory.

During a meeting with reporters in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, he said, "We take into account the opinions of each of our partners and friends and will be coordinated on this issue."

The Centre emphasises that normalising relations with the Taliban should be contingent upon adherence to human rights and women's rights in Afghanistan.

The report criticises the Taliban's repressive decrees against women and girls, noting that over fifty decrees have drastically curtailed freedom of thought, expression, and employment opportunities. Additionally, the report underscores the ongoing threat to civilians from other armed extremist groups in the region, referencing UN data that over 3,774 civilians have been killed or injured between August 15, 2021 and May 30, 2023.

It also details the abuse and violence against women and girls, including the Hazara community, following arbitrary detentions by the Taliban.

The report mentions attacks on Shiite sites, highlighting the systematic targeting of ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Shiite Hazaras. This targeting underscores the Taliban's failure or reluctance to protect vulnerable groups.

The Centre expressed concern over the absence of independent national bodies to document human rights violations, following the dismantling of crucial institutions like the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission.

The report called on the Taliban to fulfil all international human rights obligations and suggested that they undertake serious measures to prevent further human rights violations. Additionally, it stresses on the importance of Taliban cooperation with the UN Special Rapporteur and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Kalla conveyed this during his Sunday meeting with Taliban officials in Kabul. The statement quoted Kalla as saying that Indonesia's desire to "invest in various sectors, including education and mining," would require the Taliban's cooperation.

This stance comes even though the Taliban, since their return to power, have banned the education and employment of girls and women.
Indonesia, one of the largest Islamic nations, has consistently urged the Taliban over the past three years to allow girls to be educated.

Following the Taliban's education ban, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry expressed hope for a policy reversal from the Taliban to ensure access to education for all, including women and girls, emphasising its critical role in Afghanistan's future.

During his visit on Monday with Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister in Kabul, Kalla highlighted that Indonesia would offer educational opportunities for Afghan youth.

According to the Taliban's statement, Hanafi welcomed Indonesia's willingness to invest in diverse sectors across Afghanistan, affirming that the Taliban would provide all necessary facilities. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's Foreign Minister, in his meeting with the Indonesian delegation, expressed the group's eagerness to strengthen relations with Southeast Asian countries.

These units are tasked with carrying out special operations to ensure the Taliban leader’s security in Kandahar.

Mohammad Ali Hanafi, known as "Mullah Shirin Akhund," a close and trusted associate of Akhundzada, made the request.

On Sunday, the governor's office in Kandahar announced that a delegation led by Hamidullah Akhundzada from the Interior Ministry assessed the special units.

The delegation spent a week reviewing the units' military training, weapons, and equipment.

Previously, sources indicated that nearly seven thousand personnel are part of these special units in Kandahar, tasked with protecting Akhundzada, the Taliban leader.

These units are also responsible for ensuring the security of Kandahar during sensitive times.