BAHARIN LEHIB

Faryab- On July 3, Russia said it had accepted the credentials of a new ambassador of Afghanistan, making it the first nation to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Pakistan all have designated ambassadors to Kabul, in a step towards recognition.

The decision of Russia sparks outrage from human rights defenders. Women’s rights activists criticize the decision of Russia, saying that recognizing the Taliban government is the recognizing the Taliban's systematic gender-based discrimination and violence violates since 2021.

“The decision of Russia and the step taken by China to recognize the Taliban government raise concerns about human rights violations in Afghanistan,” said Leila Forough, an Afghan women’s rights activist. “This attitude ignores the Taliban’s systematic rights violations of the Afghan people, especially women and girls.”

‘Millions of Afghans live in poverty’

Leila Forough pointed to the inhuman practices of the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2021 and said, “The Taliban have banned girls and women from attending secondary schools and universities and women from working for local and international NGOs. Women have been arrested, tortured and subjected to physical violence because of their clothing or going out without a male guardian (mahram). The reports of human rights organizations have already revealed inhuman practices against women religious and ethnic minorities in Afghanistan. Millions of Afghans live in poverty; suffer from unemployment and the lack of essential public services. There are restrictions on political participation, freedom of expression, or access to justice in the country. Under these circumstances, any step toward recognition of the Taliban government would legitimize a totalitarian regime that violates human rights.”

‘We strongly condemn the decision’

Leila Forough concluded her speech saying, “As Afghan women, victims of violence and restrictions by the Taliban, we strongly condemn the decision of Russia and call on all people demanding freedom and equality in the world to raise their voices against this decision. Recognizing the Taliban government legitimizes systematic human rights violations.”