Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid held a press conference on Tuesday to address the global community’s concerns regarding prospective violations of human rights in Afghanistan. It was the first press conference after the Taliban secured control over the country following violent clashes with Afghan security forces.
Mujahid indicated that the Taliban intends to govern Afghanistan differently from its brutal regime in the 1990s. He said, “War has ended…[The leader] has pardoned everyone.” He clarified that while its Islamic ideologies and beliefs from its rule in the 1990s were the same, experience has changed the group’s perspective over the years. He also vowed to “establish a government that includes all sides.”
Addressing concerns about curbs on hard-earned women’s rights, he said, “We are committed to letting women work in accordance with the principles of Islam.” He said, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is ready to provide women with the environment to work and study, and the presence of women in different [government] structures according to Islamic law and in accordance with our cultural values.”
He reassured that women would not be discriminated against and would work “shoulder to shoulder” with the men. Previously, Enamullah Samangani, a member of the group’s cultural commission, echoed a similar sentiment and said that women would be encouraged to participate in the country’s government.
Moreover, speaking about the future of press freedom, the spokesperson said the Taliban remains committed to independent private media. However, he highlighted that journalists would be required to work in compliance with “national values.”
The spokesperson also claimed that the Taliban would not threaten any foreign countries and Afghans who helped the previous government or foreign forces in the past few decades. “We don’t want any internal or external enemies,” he said, adding, “We assure you that nobody will go to their doors to ask why they helped.”
Mujahid also reassured that foreign embassies and diplomats would be protected in the country. He claimed that the group does not have “enmity towards anyone” and has “pardoned everyone” as per the leadership’s orders. He highlighted that the “global community should rest assured that we’re committed that you will not be harmed anyway from our soil.”
Many are worried about the resurgence of the strict Islamic regime imposed by the Taliban in the 1990s. During this period, women’s education was brought to a halt, and they were barred from working. In addition, large-scale atrocities were committed against religious and communal minorities.
Despite the reassurances from the Taliban, Afghans remain concerned about the future of critical rights and freedoms, resulting in several citizens fleeing the country in pre-emption of a crackdown by the group.
Taliban Vows to Protect Women’s Rights, Press Freedoms in First Press Conference
The Taliban’s spokesperson, Zabibhulla Mujahid, vowed to ensure women continued active participation in society amid growing concern about the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan.
August 18, 2021
SOURCE: AFP