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UN Rapporteur Backs Ending Girls’ Detentions

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights has praised the organization’s experts’ report on the cessation of “arbitrary” detentions of women in Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Afghanistan, has endorsed the UN experts’ calls for halting the detention of girls over dress code violations, affirming ongoing investigations into such detentions as reported by The Khaama Press

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights has praised the organization’s experts’ report on the cessation of “arbitrary” detentions of women in Afghanistan, as stated in a message shared on his social media site, X.

In a social media post, Bennett welcomed the UN experts’ report urging an end to the “arbitrary” detention of women in Afghanistan by Taliban forces. The report, issued on February 2nd, raised concerns about physical violence against girls detained in Taliban prisons, as per The Khaama Press

Bennett emphasized that “I, along with other UN experts, call on the Taliban to put an end to the arbitrary detention of women and girls based on ‘bad hijab,’ which violates their human rights and the agency’s rights. I will continue to investigate related allegations.”

According to news agency The Khaama Press, recent detentions of women and girls across various Afghan regions, including Kabul, Bamyan, Daikundi, Panjshir, Balkh, and Kunduz, due to hijab non-compliance, have triggered widespread outcry in recent weeks.

According to the UN experts’ statement, detained women and girls were taken to police stations, where they received only one meal per day and endured physical torture.

Most cases of detained girls for “immodesty” originated in western Kabul, particularly Hazara-populated areas, and spread swiftly to Tajik-populated regions in Kabul, Bamyan, Balkh, Daikundi, and Kunduz cities, as per The Khaama Press.

UN experts have also reiterated that “Taliban authorities in Afghanistan should adhere to Afghanistan’s international human rights commitments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and strive to support human rights principles, eliminate discrimination, and uphold the rule of law.”

Formerly, the Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan at the United Nations denounced the incarceration of girls in Afghanistan, calling it ” “indicative of further restrictions on women’s freedom and the weakening of their other rights.”

Additionally, the Taliban spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, called the recent UN Human Rights Office report about the “arbitrary” detention of women and children in the nation “baseless.”

Mujahid emphasized that “we reject these reports; no one is imprisoned, no one is detained, and none of these allegations are true. Unfortunately, certain entities should not rely on these claims with the support of social media networks that do not have a precise and solid foundation.”

Concerns persist over the human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly regarding women’s rights, even two years into Taliban rule, including worries about access to education and employment opportunities for women. (ANI)

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Britons advised against travelling to Afghanistan

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said security is ensured in the country and the safety of foreign nationals is also ensured…reports Asian Lite News

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advised British nationals against travelling to Afghanistan, TOLO News reported.

According to an FCDO statement, there is a “significant risk of detention of British nationals” and “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks” in Afghanistan during the month of Ramadan.

The statement read, “You should not travel to Afghanistan. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Afghanistan. There is a heightened threat of terrorist attacks in or around religious sites and during religious events and celebrations, such as the month of Ramadan.”

“The security situation in Afghanistan is volatile. There is an ongoing and high threat of terrorist attacks throughout Afghanistan, including around airports. There is a significant risk of detention of British nationals,” the statement added.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, however, said security is ensured in the country and the safety of foreign nationals is also ensured, as per TOLO News.

Mujahid said: “We assure that there is no threat to any foreign national in Afghanistan. There are dozens of institutions, embassies and international institutions in Afghanistan and even tourists, they are living in Afghanistan, they are traveling, and there have been no security threat to anyone and will never be.”

Some political analysts have meanwhile asked the Taliban to do more to assure the security of foreign nationals in the country.

A political analyst Salim Paigir said: “The Islamic Emirate should listen to all the demands of the eastern and western countries and chose a correct and rational policy towards the world.”

“They [the Islamic Emirate] should convince western and neighboring countries that Afghanistan will never be a threat to the countries of the region,” said Sayed Moqadam Amin, a political analyst, as per TOLO News.

Earlier, the US State Department asked its citizens not to travel to Afghanistan. (ANI)

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Japan provides $13.5 mn humanitarian aid to Afghanistan: WFP

The aid will help the WFP deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to food-insecure people…reports Asian Lite News

The World Food Programme (WFP) has announced the humanitarian aid of USD 13.5 million from Japan to the Afghan people, as reported by TOLO News.

The aid will help the WFP deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance to food-insecure people, support schoolchildren to learn better and keep the United Nations Humanitarian Air Services (UNHAS) operational.

Najib, a 12-year-old student who works with his father in Kabul, said that he is trying to support his five-member family by working and wishes that their economic challenges would end.

“We want the government to provide work opportunities for my father so that we can continue our studies,” he added.

The World Food Programme highlighted that with the help of this aid, the organisation will reach nearly 6,00,000 food-insecure people through food assistance, TOLO News reported.

“With this contribution, WFP plans to reach nearly 630,000 food-insecure people through food assistance and treat more than 42,000 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children. Almost 36,000 schoolchildren in primary school will receive fortified biscuits as daily school snacks to help them stay healthy and learn better,” they stated.

Some residents of the capital, facing economic challenges, asked the Taliban to distribute id to the needy in a transparent manner, according to TOLO News.

Barat Khan, a Kabul resident, said, “We earn 200 to 250 Afghanis a day and our family members are large, so the money is not sufficient.”

Ziaullah, another resident of Kabul, emphasised that help should be given to those who really deserve it.

“Help should be given to those who really deserve it, and the government should have full cooperation in this area.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, appreciated the help received by the organisation and said that they want more help from them.

“The economic situation in Afghanistan is normal and it is affected after the war and forty years of war have passed in this country. The countries that help us should increase their cooperation. We appreciate their help and we want more help from them, but the distribution of aid will be good,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy welcomed the aid of the countries of the world to Afghanistan and emphasised the continuation of this aid in the development and infrastructure programmes of the country, according to TOLO News.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesman for the Ministry of Economy, said, “In addition to humanitarian aid, donor organisations and countries should focus on employment-generating sectors that lead to job opportunities through the implementation of development projects.”

Earlier, WFP announced USD 2.2 million from Denmark for humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and said that the total aid of this country to Afghanistan since 2015 has reached USD 36.4 million. (ANI)

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Expelled Afghan migrants borrowing money to survive: WFP

The agency emphasized that Afghan migrants are now compelled to borrow money merely to sustain themselves, lacking any facilities or support….reports Asian Lite News

The World Food Program (WFP) recently disclosed in reports that Afghan migrants, forcibly tortured and expelled from Pakistan, are resorting to borrowing money just to survive, The Khaama Press reported.

In a video clip released on Thursday, February 1, the organization highlighted that over half a million Afghan migrants have been forcibly deported by the Pakistani government in nearly five months.

The agency emphasized that Afghan migrants are now compelled to borrow money merely to sustain themselves, lacking any facilities or support.

According to the organization’s website, almost all expelled migrants are currently in a state of confusion.

The World Food Program emphasized that some of these returning migrants are still experiencing hunger and, above all, require food assistance as per The Khaama Press

This development coincides with the announcement from the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations of the Taliban of Afghanistan, indicating that the Japanese ambassador has pledged 100 million yen in assistance for various sectors to aid returning migrants in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations of the Taliban in Afghanistan, quoting the Japanese ambassador in Kabul, underscored that this funding will be allocated for shelter, tents, winter clothing packages, and health sectors for Afghan migrants, according to The Khaama Press

Besides that, the Pakistani government had already given the ultimatum to depart Pakistan by October 31 or face incarceration and deportation to their home countries.

Human rights organisations and Afghanistan both criticised the action, but the government stood its own and insisted that it was not directed at any one ethnic community.

“Around 1.7 million illegal aliens were unlawfully in the country, the majority of whom are Afghans. They are living without any legal documentation necessary for staying in the country. 541,210 people had sent back after the cabinet approved the deportation plan for illegal residents,” the ministry said.

The Pakistani government’s action sparked concerns regarding the treatment and rights of these refugees in Pakistan.

Pakistani officials continued their actions despite facing condemnation and calls to stop the forceful deportation of Afghan migrants.

Earlier, the United Nations had also called on Pakistan to halt the deportation exercise.

Meanwhile, human rights activists and journalists reported that the mistreatment is part of a campaign to compel Afghans to leave the country. This includes night raids during which police have beaten, threatened, and detained Afghans. (ANI)

ALSO READ: US calls on Taliban to gain international legitimacy

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US calls on Taliban to gain international legitimacy

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said they are committed to all pledges they made with the international community….reports Asian Lite News

The spokesman for the US State Department, Matthew Miller, said Washington would continue to call on the ‘Taliban’ to take steps to gain international legitimacy, TOLO News reported.

He made the remarks at a press conference in Washington, DC.

He said, “We continue to call on the Taliban to take steps to gain international legitimacy, to stop the crackdown on the legitimate expression by its own people, and that’s what we’ve done and what we’ll continue to do.”

He also responded to a question regarding the fate of Afghan allies who worked with the US but are still stranded in Afghanistan, saying: “We have been working very hard to accelerate those cases and work through the backlog, and we’ll continue to do so.”

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said they are committed to all pledges they made with the international community.

“The Islamic Emirate… is committed to the rights of the people and also international laws. It has fulfilled the promises for recognition of the country. Unfortunately, some countries are bringing up their political and personal wishes under various pretexts,” he said, as reported by TOLO News.

Weighing in on the matter, political analyst Saleem Paigeer said, “The Islamic Emirate… should take concrete steps so that the international community recognizes us. We should put aside our ego and act in a way to draw in the international community.”

The Taliban-appointed deputy prime minister for political affairs earlier said the Islamic Emirate will not compromise Islam or the rights of people for international recognition.

Recently, two persons accused of having “extramarital relations” were lashed 35 times in Kabul province, Khaama Press reported, citing a Taliban court statement.

The court confirmed the harsh penalty on Thursday, February 1, stating that each individual received 35 lashes and a six-month prison sentence from the primary court.

The statement issued by the Supreme Court of the Taliban did not specify whether the accused were publicly lashed for extramarital relations or not. Nonetheless, this development underscores the regime’s commitment to enforcing strict punishment measures since reclaiming control over Afghanistan, according to The Khaama Press

The recurrent public lashings under the Taliban regime have sparked international concern regarding human rights and legal standards. These actions reflect the continued imposition of rigorous interpretations of Islamic law by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Since the Taliban has implemented oppressive policies, particularly affecting women who are confined to their homes and barred from accessing education and employment opportunities. Such measures have worsened the already severe humanitarian crisis in the nation as per The Khaama Press.

The return of refugees from neighbouring countries, amid harsh winter conditions and a shortage of funding, has further compounded the dire situation in Afghanistan. The uncertainty surrounding the country’s prospects adds to the gravity of the humanitarian plight faced by its population.

The restrictive measures imposed by the Taliban have disproportionately impacted women, deepening the humanitarian crisis and prompting concerns about the well-being and future of Afghan citizens.

The recent announcement from the Taliban’s court regarding the punishment of individuals for “extramarital relations” underscores the regime’s commitment to enforcing strict Islamic law. However, these actions have raised international concerns about human rights violations and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, particularly affecting women and refugees. The situation remains precarious, with the Afghan population facing uncertainty amidst ongoing political and social upheaval. (ANI)

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Xi accepts credentials of Taliban-appointed Ambassador

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin clarified that the move does not mean Beijing officially recognises the Taliban government

Chinese President Xi Jinping on January 30 formally accepted the credentials of the Taliban-appointed Ambassador, becoming the first head of state to do so, a media report said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin clarified that the move does not mean Beijing officially recognises the Taliban government, RFE/RL reported.

“Diplomatic recognition of the Afghan government will come naturally as the concerns of various parties are effectively addressed,” he said, the report said.

The Taliban, however, celebrated the move as a major diplomatic victory.

“China understands what the rest of the world needs to understand,” chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said, urging other countries to expand bilateral relations with his government, RFE/RL reported.

China’s move is a boost to the Taliban-led government, which has not been recognised by any country since the extremist group seized power in 2021.

(Credit X@QaharBalkhi)

Beijing’s expanding diplomatic ties with the Taliban government could prompt other countries in the region, including Iran and Russia, to follow suit, RFE/RL reported.

Ibraheem Bahiss, an Afghanistan expert at the International Crisis Group, said Beijing’s decision suggested that the Taliban is making headway in its strategy to gain official recognition from regional countries.

Countries in the region are growing “more and more skeptical about the Western consensus that the Taliban should stay confined to pariah status on the world stage”, he wrote, RFE/RL reported.

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Afghan women urge UN for active role at Doha conference

The open letter carries the signatures of approximately 10 protest movements and was released on Wednesday, following a virtual meeting among women’s rights activists…reports Asian Lite News

The prominent members of women’s protest movements have urged the United Nations to advocate for the active participation of women in the Doha Conference, scheduled to be held in Afghanistan, as reported by Khaama Press.

In a letter sent to the UN, the Afghan women highlighted that any decision regarding Afghanistan’s fate without consulting women would not be acceptable.

The open letter carries the signatures of approximately 10 protest movements and was released on Wednesday, following a virtual meeting among women’s rights activists.

Notably, the Doha Conference, initiated by the United Nations, is scheduled to be held on February 18 and 19, according to Khaama Press.

This is the second Doha Conference focused on Afghanistan, with the first one hosted by the United Nations approximately eight months ago.

Reportedly, during the initial Doha Conference, Afghan women were not represented.

Moreover, the letter sent to the UN states that the meaningful presence of women is crucial, given the ongoing violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan, including arbitrary detentions of girls, gender-based violence, and acts of gender apartheid, Khaama Press reported.

Officials from the Taliban government have also been invited to attend this conference.

However, as women remain deprived of basic human rights in Afghanistan, the women’s rights activists argued that women protesters have been fighting against the Taliban’s harsh actions against women for the past two and a half years and should be included in the conference.

One of the women’s rights activists, Mina Rafiq, emphasised that women who are actively opposing the policies of the Taliban should be invited to the Doha conference.

“In previous conferences, genuine women representatives were absent, and it was ineffective. In the Doha conference, women who are actively opposing and fighting against the policies of the Taliban should be invited,” she said.

The core agenda of the Doha conference is to discuss and negotiate the proposals put forth by Feridun Sinirioghlu, a former Turkish diplomat, as reported by Khaama Press.

Additionally, according to the sources, discussions will take place during this conference regarding the appointment of a new UN envoy for Afghanistan. (ANI)

India clears the air on on engagements with Kabul

India has been engaging with Afghanistan at both the regional as well as international level by attending several meetings in various formats, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.

Responding to media queries on New Delhi’s engagements with Kabul, the official spokesperson of the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have been attending several meetings on Afghanistan in various formats, both on a regional level as well as the international level.”

“We have been attending several meetings on Afghanistan in various formats, both on a regional level as well as the international level. You have seen that, we recently also participated in a regional meeting in Kabul, which our head of the technical team attended,” Jaiswal said during the presser.

The MEA spokesperson further added that the recent regional meeting that was attended by India’s side in Kabul should also be seen in the context of engagements with the nation.

He said, “…the meeting of India’s long-standing friendship with the Afghan people and the humanitarian assistance that we are carrying out in the country…this particular meeting we attended, should also be seen in that particular context. That is where we are in engagement with Afghanistan.”

The Indian representative engaged in a meeting with Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and expressed India’s active participation in both international and regional initiatives concerning Afghanistan.

The representative also emphasised India’s unwavering support for all efforts aimed at fostering stability and development in the war-torn nation.

“India actively takes part in international and regional initiatives regarding Afghanistan and supports every effort leading to the stability and the development of Afghanistan,” posted Hafiz Zia Ahmed, Deputy Spokesman and Assistant Director of Public Relations, Taliban-controlled Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Notably, Muttaqi met with the ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of the regional countries in the region, including India.

Other diplomats and ambassadors were from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Indonesia, the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

“Calling the current diplomatic relations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with the countries of the region remarkable, FM Muttaqi stressed that regional countries should hold regional peace talks to increase and continue positive interaction with Afghanistan, adding that Muttaqi asked the participants to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in Afghanistan based on a region-oriented tradition so as to coordinate in managing the potential threats,” the release added. (ANI)

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India advocates stability, development in Afghanistan

Muttaqi met with the ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of the regional countries in the region, including India…reports Asian Lite News

The Indian representative engaged in a meeting with Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed Foreign Minister, Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, and expressed India’s active participation in both international and regional initiatives concerning Afghanistan.

The representative also emphasised India’s unwavering support for all efforts aimed at fostering stability and development in the war-torn nation.

“India actively takes part in international and regional initiatives regarding Afghanistan and supports every effort leading to the stability and the development of Afghanistan,” posted Hafiz Zia Ahmed, Deputy Spokesman and Assistant Director of Public Relations, Taliban-controlled Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Notably, Muttaqi met with the ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions of the regional countries in the region, including India.

Other diplomats and ambassadors were from Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, and Indonesia, the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

“Calling the current diplomatic relations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with the countries of the region remarkable, FM Muttaqi stressed that regional countries should hold regional peace talks to increase and continue positive interaction with Afghanistan, adding that Muttaqi asked the participants to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in Afghanistan based on a region-oriented tradition so as to coordinate in managing the potential threats,” the release added.

“Underlying on positive engagement with the countries of the region and the world, FM Muttaqi once again reiterated that there remains no need to appoint a new special representatives in the presence of UNAMA and the existence of an independent central government in Afghanistan, urging the participants to convey the message of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s region-oriented initiative to their countries so that Afghanistan and the region can jointly utilise the new opportunities in the region for the benefit of their governments and nations,” it also said.

Earlier in its continued efforts to help Afghanistan, India, on January 23, supplied 40,000 litres of Malathion, a pesticide used to fight locust menaces, through the Chabahar port.

The Taliban-controlled Ministry of Agriculture expressed gratitude for this assistance, highlighting its significance in protecting crops and ensuring food security in Afghanistan. (ANI)

ALSO READ-India participates in Taliban’s regional conference in Kabul

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India participates in Taliban’s regional conference in Kabul

In the case of India, New Delhi has a ‘technical’ team in Kabul, whose head, Rambabu Chellappa, participated in the session…reports Asian Lite News

India on Monday participated in a ‘regional conference’ organised by the Taliban government in the run-up to next month’s UN-convened meeting on Afghanistan. This was the first such programme convened in the Afghanistan capital.

Dubbed Afghanistan’s ‘Regional Cooperation Initiative,’ the meeting was chaired by Taliban’s foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and attended by special envoys from Russia and China as well.

Besides, the resident diplomats from India, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan took part in the meeting.

As the Taliban government has yet to receive formal international recognition, the diplomats present at the meeting were not designated as ‘ambassadors’ but rather ‘chief d’affairs.’

In the case of India, New Delhi has a ‘technical’ team in Kabul, whose head, Rambabu Chellappa, participated in the session.

According to a post on X (formerly Twitter) by the foreign ministry spokesperson, the India representative said that it actively took part in international and regional intiatives and “supports every effort leading to the stability and the development of Afghanistan”.

The Taliban minister reiterated the opposition to an appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan by the UN Secretary general.

Last month, the UN Security Council passed a resolution that called for appointing a UN special envoy as part of greater engagement with the war-ravaged country. Russia and China had abstained but did use their veto to stop the adoption.

“Afghanistan as country that has gone through long imposed conflicts, and has achieved peace, security, and stability – does not need another UN special representative and/or new mission with UNAMA already on the ground – but this government stands ready and has the capacity to conduct talks on common and concerning issues with different regional and international sides,” said Muttaqi.

He also urged the participating countries to “portray ground realities of today’s Afghanistan in the upcoming Doha meeting”.

“Calling the current diplomatic relations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with the countries of the region remarkable, FM Muttaqi stressed that regional countries should hold regional peace talks to increase and continue positive interaction with Afghanistan, adding Muttaqi asked the participants to take advantage of the emerging opportunities in Afghanistan based on a region-oriented tradition so as to coordinate in managing the potential threats,” Taliban-controlled Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.

“Underlying on positive engagement with the countries of the region and the world, FM Muttaqi once again reiterated that there remains no need to appoint a new special representatives in the presence of UNAMA and the existence of an independent central government in Afghanistan, urging the participants to convey the message of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s region-oriented initiative to their countries so that Afghanistan and the region can jointly utilise the new opportunities in the region for the benefit of their governments and nations,” it also said.

The UN secretary General Antonio Guterres will be hosting a meeting of special envoys from regional countries and international organisations on Afghanistan at the Qatari capital Doha on February 18-19.

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National Unity Group lauds invitation of Afghan women to UN session

Reverse decrees limiting women's rights, UN urges Taliban.(Photo : Twitter.com/unwomenafghan)

The group in an announcement on Sunday the group stated that the Taliban must be held accountable for their actions towards women and girls….reports Asian Lite News

The National Unity Group of Afghanistan has welcomed an announcement inviting women to the United Nations session and has called for avoiding any involvement with the Taliban, Khaama Press reported.

The group in an announcement on Sunday the group stated that the Taliban must be held accountable for their actions towards women and girls.

As per the statement, participants in the Doha talks should be selected from effective representatives of organisations.

The announcement also emphasised the need for practical and definitive decisions to address the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan resulting from the Taliban’s presence, as per Khaama Press.

Women activists also called for keeping the Taliban on the United Nations blacklist. The request was kept among the participants of the Doha conference scheduled for February 18-19.

The statements said: “We call on United Nations members not to engage with the murderers of the people and women of Afghanistan, and to impose new and stricter sanctions on recognising them, isolating them, and exerting greater pressure on the Taliban.”

Recently, the United Nations spokesperson announced that the Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres will host a conference on Afghanistan in Doha on February 18-19.

The Taliban stated that a representative of this group had been invited to the Doha conference, as per Khaama Press.

The initial United Nations conference on Afghanistan in Doha, led by Antonio Guterres, did not include representatives from the Taliban or opposing political groups.

Last week, international organisations called for lifting the ban on girls’ education, as for over two years now, girls have been barred from accessing education in Afghanistan, TOLO News reported.

As the world celebrated the International Day of Education on January 24, various international organisations have urged for the opening of schools for girls.

The UN special envoy for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, Amnesty International, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme, and other international groups asked the Taliban to lift the ban on girls’ education, as reported by TOLO News.

Roza Otunbayeva, in a video released by UNAMA News on social media, ‘X’ emphasised that providing education for all is the foundation for Afghanistan’s future.

“In Afghanistan, education for all, for girls and boys, women and men, is more than just a fundamental right. It is the foundation for Afghanistan’s future,” she said.

On the International Day of Education, Otunbayeva highlighted that the opening of schools is not just a demand of Western nations but also the Muslim world, according to TOLO News.

She further urged the Taliban to recognise that education is not just a moral imperative but critical for prosperity and peace.

Moreover, Otunbayeva stressed that the continued deprivation of Afghan girls from education will not only affect all Afghans but will also isolate Afghanistan globally.

“To maintain the current path only inflicts further harm on all Afghans and risks isolating Afghanistan from both the Islamic world and the international community,” she added. (ANI)

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