Afghanistan - UN Opens Conference but Taliban Refuse to Attend : VOA

Feridun Sinirlioglu,who led the independent assessment mission

Article shared by Tom McDermott

It is disappointing, but not so surprising, that the conference had to go ahead without the presence of the Taliban, who refused to attend without recognition of them being the sole legitimate government.  This came after months of negotiation and an independent assessment looking at ways Afghanistan might become integrated into future UN and international political and humanitarian aid efforts. Major stumbling blocks remain, but perhaps the assessment at least opened a few windows for future discussions over the key issues like women's rights.  We may hear more about this in coming weeks.

Tom  

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Summary:

The United Nations opened a two-day conference in Doha on Sunday to discuss the way forward in Afghanistan. However, the Taliban, who now rule Afghanistan, refused to attend due to disagreements over the terms of their participation.

The conference was held to consider the report of an independent assessment mandated by the Security Council. In March, a Security Council resolution for the assessment, providing "forward-looking recommendations for an integrated and coherent" international approach to the Taliban-governed crisis-hit country by November 17. He appointed Feridun Sinirlioglu, a former Turkish government official, as the special coordinator to lead the mission.

See summary of the assessment itself below.  For related article by VOA click here.

The conference brought together special envoys from 25 countries, Afghan civil society members, and representatives from various regional organizations. It aimed to explore coordinated engagement with the Taliban following a U.N. assessment of the situation in Afghanistan.

The Taliban were invited but declined to participate unless they were recognized as Afghanistan's sole legitimate representatives. The Afghan Foreign Ministry said attending without such recognition was "unbeneficial."

Some participants were disappointed the U.N. could not get the Taliban to the table. However, others felt the conference remained meaningful in refocusing global attention on Afghanistan amid other crises.

Since taking power, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on women's rights and freedoms. They argue these conform with Islam and local culture, but face widespread criticism over a fundamentalist interpretation out of step with much of society.

While no country recognizes the Taliban government, many engage with them pragmatically. The Taliban have reduced violence and drugs, but resisted calls to form an inclusive administration and ease repression of women – key conditions for formal recognition.

Rights groups caution that further mainstreaming the Taliban risks enabling their abusive behavior. A joint statement from Munich Security Conference participants also conditioned Taliban recognition on improving human rights, especially for women.

Overview of the findings of the Independent assessment

An independent U.N. assessment links international recognition of the Taliban government to improving women's rights and meeting Afghanistan's global commitments. It calls for immediately lifting repressive bans on girls' education and women working.

The report was commissioned by a March U.N. Security Council resolution requesting recommendations on coherent global engagement with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. After extensive consultations, it finds the Taliban unjustly portray their gender segregation edicts as faith or culture-based.

It says Afghanistan's isolation from the world community cannot be reversed without inclusive governance and sustainable peace. This requires a national dialogue and unfreezing assets, provided the Taliban demonstrate willingness to uphold obligations.

While noting some Taliban progress on security and narcotics, the assessment questions their resolve against terrorism and cites concerns about cross-border attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil. It recommends conditioned reintegration to prod Taliban cooperation on pending issues.

The report stresses that empowering women is critical for Afghanistan's political and economic stability. It argues human rights violations and unrepresentative rule risk prolonging conflict after 45 years of war in the country.

All sides wish for a peaceful Afghanistan integrated with the world, says the U.N. envoy. But progress depends on the Taliban embracing diversity at home while curbing terrorism abroad through credible commitments.