ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said girls’ education in Afghanistan is potentially a path to recognizing Taliban leadership in the country, saying the de facto government has not fulfilled their commitments.
Zardari in a recent interview with FRANCE 24 said the Islamic Emirate has not fulfilled their promises to the international community, and this had precluded recognition of their government.
“It would help the government of Afghanistan gain legitimacy and perhaps a path to recognition if they were to live up to those expectations, one of which is female education,” said Zardari, as TOLOnews quoted.
“Now, our Afghan neighbors do say that as far as primary education is concerned they allow girls to go to primary schools…what we are waiting for is secondary education,” he elaborated.
____________
KEEP READING:
- A Year of Extreme Violence, Poverty, Natural Disaster under Taliban Rule
- Blinken Gauges Taliban Promises on Girls Education in Afghanistan
- Taliban Leader Calls for Implementation of Sharia Law in Afghanistan
- UNAMA Negotiates with Taliban Gov’t to Reopen Girls School
____________
In its latest, the Special Envoy of the European Union for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson also said the Taliban have failed to uphold any promises made, recalling Afghanistan is a party to the Rome Statute.
“The EU remains deeply alarmed by the increase of human rights violations and abuses and international humanitarian law violations in Afghanistan,” said the European Union in a statement.
“Accountability must be ensured and, in this regard, we recall that Afghanistan is a party to the Rome Statute.”
While the school for grade six girls and above remained close since the beginning of the school year in March, the EU reiterates its commitment to equal opportunity for Afghan women and girls in all spheres of life.
“The situation of women and girls’ rights continues to deteriorate,” the statement reads. “The EU reiterates its unwavering commitment to the full, equal and meaningful participation of all women and girls in all spheres of life in Afghanistan, as well as to their protection from all forms of violence.”
The 51st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council (HRC51) is taking place in Geneva and online from 12 September to 7 October 2022.
But the so-called Islamic Emirate rule has repeatedly defied the international community, saying its leadership has “fulfilled all the promises it made with the United States in the Doha Agreement.”
“The Islamic Emirate does not allow anyone to use the territory of Afghanistan against the United States and its allies,” said Spokesman of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Zabihullah Mujahid in a thread. “In addition, IEA is also committed to providing all the Shariah rights of its citizens.”
Reflecting on the overall security of the country, the spokesman said a “peaceful atmosphere” has been created in the country, where women and men could rightfully take part on Afghanistan’s development.
“In Afghanistan, a normal life and peaceful atmosphere has been created for women and men, and the rights of all minorities are maintained,” he said. “Moreover, the system and way of life in Afghanistan are issues related to Afghans.”
Forming an inclusive government, respecting human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, and not using Afghan soil against other countries are the main conditions of the international community for the recognition of Afghanistan.
