Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
03 May 2023 | 13:20 CAT

Photo credit: MyIndMakers

The United Nations kicked off a two-day, closed-door meeting in Qatar on Monday, aimed at helping the international community figure out how to save lives in Afghanistan without bolstering the Islamic hard-liners of the Taliban movement in control of the country.

The closed-door meetings, which involve discussions on the human rights situation in Afghanistan and removing sanctions on the Taliban-led nation, will see nations worldwide take part.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, British Journalist, author, and politician Yvonne Ridley said that any initiative to persuade the Taliban to engage in talks around the table should be welcomed. However, the de facto authorities from the Taliban have yet to be invited to the critical talks led by the UN Secretary-general Antonio Guterres.

In a statement on Sunday, the UN said Leaders from several nations are expected to “reinvigorate international engagement around key issues, such as human rights, in particular women’s and girls’ rights, inclusive governance, countering terrorism and drug trafficking.”

Guterres wants a common understanding with the international community on engaging with the Taliban on these issues.

The Independent reported that various protests by women groups took place in Afghanistan while the meetings went on. They said they were angered by the talks looking to formalise the Taliban-led regime, despite the erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan by the interim leaders, who call the handling of the affairs “an internal social issue”.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with host Mufti Yusuf Moosagie.