The first day of the fourth Vienna meeting for a “Democratic Afghanistan” was held yesterday with the participation of 70 individuals from 40 political, military, and civil organizations and groups, independent cultural and political figures, and media representatives. Key topics discussed included combating terrorism and ensuring security in Afghanistan, the political outlook, international relations and regional consequences, human rights, and the economic roadmap for Afghanistan’s future. Discussions emphasized the creation of an executive mechanism for global engagement and a framework for transitioning from the current situation to a democratic order, dialogue, mutual acceptance, and the need to establish a united political movement. They also discussed a unified response to the exclusion of women and civil forces from the third Doha meeting by the United Nations. The former National Security Advisor of Afghanistan’s previous government called for the formation of a united political movement, stressing that in the absence of such a force, the international community views the Taliban as an irreplaceable entity.
The Vienna meeting, organized for the fourth time by the Austrian Institute for International Affairs (OIIP), began on June 24 and will last for three days, with 70 political and civil forces opposing the Taliban in attendance. Participants include Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF) of Afghanistan, Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former National Security Advisor and Foreign Minister, Mohammad Mohaqiq, leader of the Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan, several independent political figures, journalists, and members of civil organizations, including women.
Sources at the Vienna meeting stated that the gathering aims to establish an executive mechanism for global engagement and to present a framework for transitioning Afghanistan from its current state to a democratic one. Participants warned that normalizing relations with the Taliban is a “strategic mistake” and urged the world to heed the legitimate and democratic demands of the people of Afghanistan.
Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, the former National Security Advisor and Foreign Minister, emphasized the unity of anti-Taliban movements, stating that without a united political movement, the international community sees the Taliban as an irreplaceable force. He added that if all avenues to resolve the current crisis are closed, there would be no choice but to resort to force [armed struggle].
Mr. Spanta said, “To articulate the major demands of the people of Afghanistan in a comprehensive and just program, the formation of a large combative front under any name seems necessary.” He stressed that lessons from past mistakes must be learned to change the situation.
The former National Security Advisor also criticized the United Nations’ approach to the Taliban’s rule and their unilateral invitation to the Doha meeting, calling it highly dangerous and mistaken. He insisted that an appropriate response to the UN’s approach should be given at this meeting. He described the Taliban’s rule as “anti-civilization, hostile to human and women’s rights.” He warned that without unity among their opponents, the Taliban would continue their dominance over Afghanistan unchallenged.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Mohaqiq, a member of the leadership circle of the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, described Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s Interior Minister, as a “man of war and peace.” He said that despite the suicide bombings and explosions carried out in the past, Haqqani is inclined towards “intra-Afghan negotiations.”
Mr. Mohaqiq stated, “If these people [the Taliban] do not come to their senses one day, I assure you that everyone… will be forced to come to the scene, and when they [anti-Taliban forces] come to the scene, the space for [the Taliban] will become tight.”
In response to Mr. Mohaqiq’s remarks, Malek Setiz, a researcher in international law, wrote on his X(formerly Twitter) page, “Dominant and monopolistic politicians justify. This is the same rhetoric used by Roza Otunbayeva [head of UNAMA] to facilitate new interactions in the Doha meeting.”
On the first day of the fourth round of the Vienna meeting, Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, emphasized the importance of holding elections and considering the choice of the people as a priority. He stated, “Even if people choose the Taliban, we will submit to the will of the people. But the people’s choice is clear. We should not make decisions on behalf of the people, regardless of our views.”
Mr. Massoud added, “Today, unfortunately, freedom has been taken away from all citizens of Afghanistan regardless of ethnicity, language, culture, or background.” According to him, the Taliban do not represent any ethnic group or language in Afghanistan but are “an intelligence-driven, foreign idea, alien to the people of Afghanistan, and attributing this group to any ethnicity, language, religion, or culture of the people is a great injustice.” He also said, “Our past is irreconcilable, but we can have a reconcilable future.”
Meanwhile, Khalid Pashtoon, spokesperson for the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, described the United Nations’ efforts to form an all-inclusive government as unsuccessful. He said that in the Taliban’s lexicon, an all-inclusive government “has no meaning at all; we should not expect it, nor should the world.” According to him, resistance must intensify to achieve a positive outcome.
Parwana Ebrahimkhil Nijrabi, a women’s rights activist and another speaker at the meeting, mentioned the torture and arrest of ethnic and religious minorities by the Taliban, adding that the group has forced girls in some areas into marriage with their fighters. She emphasized that the Taliban have forced former security personnel, in addition to torturing, arresting, and killing them, to marry off their daughters to members of the group.
The women’s rights activist described the exclusion of women from all areas of collective life as concerning, stating that half of Afghanistan’s population currently lives under house arrest in the worst conditions, enduring the Taliban’s brutal and violent rule.
Ms. Nijrabi called on participants to unite for the liberation of Afghanistan from the Taliban’s grasp and to reach a common solution. She added, “I have experienced street protests and Taliban prison. Living under the Taliban’s oppression is unbearable. Just imagine yourselves and your family members in the place of the families under Taliban oppression. Feel the pain of your imprisoned sister and tortured brother, and then finding a solution becomes easier.”
Daoud Naji, head of the political committee of the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), said at the meeting that people are experiencing “the most severe form of barbarism, systematic discrimination, and gender apartheid under Taliban oppression. Meanwhile, the world and the region are each dealing with them [the Taliban] for their interests.” He stated that alongside the armed struggle against the Taliban, the Afghanistan Freedom Front also emphasizes the importance of dialogue and political efforts to overcome the current situation.
On the first day of the meeting, speakers discussed systematic discrimination and gender apartheid imposed by the Taliban, how to adopt a unified stance on the exclusion of women and civil forces from the third Doha meeting by the United Nations, exploring ways of mutual acceptance, and the necessity of unity and solidarity among democratic forces for a stable and democratic future in Afghanistan.
During the three days of the fourth round of the Vienna meeting, participants are set to discuss various panels on the democratic future of Afghanistan, mobilizing political forces opposing the Taliban, creating a unified political umbrella, and addressing some international and regional issues related to Afghanistan.
You can read the Persian version of this daily report here:
چهارمین نشست ویانا؛ در غیاب جنبش سیاسی متحد، طالبان بدون جاگزین تلقی میشوند | روزنامه ۸صبح