The third Doha Meeting on Afghanistan, hosted by the United Nations, is being held today, June 30th. The Taliban spokesperson is participating, but Afghan women, representatives of the people of Afghanistan, and political figures from the country are absent. Naturally, such a meeting with this composition carries explicit and implicit consequences and challenges that will be difficult to reconcile for the people of Afghanistan and will also adversely affect foreign countries passing through it. This meeting may convey various messages, the most significant of which are outlined below:
1. Legitimizing a Terrorist Group
Inviting the Taliban to this meeting, without the presence of women, other Afghan representatives, and political groups, is seen as a form of legitimization of this terrorist group. The Taliban, many of whose officials are under international sanctions and are recognized as human rights violators, could gain a form of political legitimacy through this meeting. This comes at the expense of sidelining other political groups and representatives of the people of Afghanistan who may have different perspectives and concerns. This meeting, following on from previous ones, appears to be an initiative planned for Taliban appeasement and legitimization. While appeasement may tactically serve certain functions for major powers and international organizations, given the nature and practical track record of this group, it must be acknowledged that no one is immune to the dangers of terrorism. This is not an exception-proof rule. Consequences may be delayed but are inevitable.
2. Empowering the Taliban for Greater Control
By stipulating various conditions for participating in this meeting, the Taliban are attempting to exert greater control over the negotiation process and decisions. These conditions may include issues such as lifting sanctions, recognizing their government officially, and refraining from addressing changes in Taliban policies regarding women’s education and access to international financial resources. Accepting these conditions by the international community could strengthen the Taliban’s position and solidify their government without fundamental changes in their coercive behaviors and policies. Such global engagement with the Taliban poses broad challenges to international norms and values, and resistance to their demands sooner or later becomes inevitable. The UN, in accepting Taliban conditions, seems to have deviated from its resolutions and has sidelined key agenda items such as appointing a special representative and ensuring the defense of women’s rights and human rights, which are obligations under its charter. The UN appears to have forgotten its primary responsibilities and is resorting to tactical measures for the appeasement of the Taliban.
3. Detachment from the Demands of the people of Afghanistan
The absence of women, civil society, politicians, and genuine representatives of the people of Afghanistan, especially the new generation who hold the trust of the people, in this meeting, renders the decisions made devoid of inclusivity and necessary legitimacy. Representatives of civil society, minority groups, and other political forces with diverse perspectives and needs should participate in such meetings to ensure that the decisions made are responsive to the genuine needs and demands of the people of Afghanistan. The absence of these representatives results in decisions favoring a specific group (the Taliban) and disregards the needs of other segments of society. Holding such a meeting in the absence of genuine representatives of the people appears irresolvable, akin to an unsolvable puzzle, as addressing Afghanistan’s issues requires the presence of people’s representatives. If the intention is to justify the current situation and whitewash the Taliban, such extensive costs and waste of opportunities are unnecessary. Perhaps the most critical message of this type of meeting is that the demands of Afghan women and people are not a priority for the United Nations, which seems more inclined to interact with the Taliban like a country or an intelligence agency pursuing their temporary interests.
4. Abstaining Peace and Stability in Afghanistan
This approach, negotiating and engaging solely with the Taliban, could have serious negative consequences for the process of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Essentially, this type of approach signifies obstructing sustainable peace in Afghanistan. Negotiations must involve all stakeholders and the people of Afghanistan in a meaningful way so that they can voice their perspectives and concerns. Otherwise, the likelihood that agreements centered around the Taliban’s viewpoints will further disenfranchise the people of Afghanistan is significant. This issue could lead to ongoing unrest and crises. Essentially, peace is impossible in the absence of representatives of the people of Afghanistan, unless peace is defined as a graveyard peace where people must stay silent because of terror and fear imposed by the Taliban.
5. Undermining Women of Afghanistan by the United Nations
The exclusion of Afghan women from the Doha Meeting, signaled by Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN’s Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs, highlights the disregard for the rights and voices of half of the country’s population. This action follows the acceptance of Taliban preconditions and represents a blatant disrespect towards Afghan women. Such a decision not only violates human rights principles and gender equality but also carries dire consequences for Afghanistan’s future. Afghan women must have meaningful participation in all decision-making processes concerning their country’s fate, and their exclusion from this meeting is unacceptable.
Solutions and Recommendations
1- Invitation to All Women’s Movements, Political Groups, and People’s Representatives
The international community should strive to ensure the presence of all these groups as representatives of the people of Afghanistan in such meetings to enhance the legitimacy and inclusivity of decisions made. This expectation is heightened by the fact that the UN representative is a woman, Rosemary DiCarlo, who is hosting this meeting.
2- International Pressure on the Taliban
Instead of rewarding the Taliban, diplomatic and economic pressures should be prioritized. These pressures should be applied in a manner that compels them to respect human rights and participate genuinely in the peace process. Otherwise, if scoring points with the Taliban becomes a priority and is recognized by the United Nations, it implies everyone must capitulate to terrorism to score those points.
3- Support for the New Generation and People’s Genuine Representatives
The international community should support trusted organizations and institutions of the people of Afghanistan to ensure that the voices of the people, especially women and minorities, are heard in negotiations, paving the way for fundamental discussions on peace in Afghanistan. These groups are dedicated and faithful to the demands of the people, representing them effectively in such meetings and facilitating pathways out of the crisis.
Conclusion
The third Doha Meeting was an opportunity to explore sustainable solutions to the Afghan crisis. However, this opportunity will only be effective if all stakeholders are present, and the decisions made reflect the needs and perspectives of all sectors of society. Otherwise, this meeting will not only fail to aid in resolving the crisis but may exacerbate and deepen existing problems. The international community must approach this issue with greater care and sensitivity, striving for a comprehensive and inclusive process to advance peace and stability in Afghanistan.
You can read the Persian version of this analysis here:
