Several Republican Senators were reported to propose a bill that would subject de facto authorities to severe new sanctions in response to its human rights violations in Afghanistan.
This comes nearly two years after the chaotic US withdrawal from the country.
According to the bill, President Joe Biden must impose sanctions on the Taliban for their involvement in terrorism, drug trafficking, and violations of women’s rights, Fox News reported.
The report also said that all transactions involving Taliban-owned property would be blocked and outlawed, and any visas or other entry-permitting documents would be rendered invalid.
“Since the fall of Kabul in 2021, the Taliban has repressed Afghanistan’s women, minorities, and youth, diverted aid from Afghans in desperate need, taken hostages to achieve political gain, and allowed Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists again. Unfortunately, the Biden Administration’s response has failed to curtail Taliban abuses,” Sen. Jim Risch told Fox News.
The bill outlines several requirements the Taliban authorities must satisfy to avert more sanctions.
This entails cutting links with all terrorist outlets, allowing humanitarian organizations full access to their territory to care for its most vulnerable residents, enabling residents to leave their territory, and recognizing human rights, women’s rights, and press freedom.
Since August 2021, the Taliban has taken control of Kabul and restricted women’s rights, including education and employment.
Meanwhile, the Taliban authorities reiterated that their government had completed the conditions for recognition.
