On the inaugural day of the third Vienna Conference themed “The Future of Democratic Afghanistan,” political figures, former government officials, the leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF), human rights activists, civil society members, journalists, and some diplomats from the previous government gathered. Virtual participation from certain jihadist leaders was also reported. Over 40 political opponents of the Taliban are reportedly taking part in this three-day conference. Organized by the Austrian Institute for International Affairs, the conference serves as a platform for political forces to discuss the future of democratic Afghanistan. During the opening, some speakers characterized the Taliban regime as “mono-ethnic, mono-religious, and mono-gendered,” accusing them of attempting to erase the languages and cultural heritage of other ethnic groups. One participant highlighted the Taliban’s marginalization of Hazaras and Shiites, putting them at risk of “genocide.” The Taliban dismissed these conferences as “illegal” and “meaningless,” urging opponents to return and “die with dignity” under the group’s flag.
The Vienna Conference, organized by the Austrian Institute for International Affairs, is being held for the third time from December 3rd to 5th, with the participation of over 40 political figures opposing the Taliban. At this conference, prominent figures such as Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, national security advisor and former foreign minister of Afghanistan, some former cabinet ministers and ambassadors, political personalities, journalists, and members of civil society, including women, are in attendance.
Shukria Barakzai, former ambassador of Afghanistan to Norway and one of the participants in the third round of the Vienna Conference on “The Future of Democratic Afghanistan,” speaks with the Hasht-e Subh Daily. She mentions that political parties, representatives of organizations, media figures, and members of civil society are present at this conference, and the discussions at the Vienna conference have approached a mature and substantial stage. Ms. Barakzai adds that one tangible result of the Vienna Conference is the establishment of commonalities, particularly a shared perspective among politicians for the democratic future of Afghanistan. She emphasizes that the clear importance of these sessions is evident in the Taliban’s reactions over the past two weeks, showing that Afghan nationalist movements abroad, with a nearly all-inclusive composition, have managed to have a voice in international forums.
The former ambassador of Afghanistan to Norway states that the Taliban believed people and political entities were isolated. Still, contrary to that, they now witness the global recognition of the voices of political forces. According to her, intra-Afghan dialogues and strategies to rescue Afghanistan from the crisis are key focal points in the discussions of political forces.
Ms. Barakzai, discussing the objective of this conference, says, “The goal of this conference is to create a unified and large umbrella among nationalist forces, women, political parties, and political groups. Like a vacuum, the absence had led to a sense of emptiness. Slowly, this vacuum is being filled, and the outcome of these conferences will determine the fate of the Afghan people in their own hands.” She expresses hope that the people of Afghanistan will live together with equal rights and that the country will no longer be a center for confronting regional and transregional powers.
Meanwhile, another woman participant in this conference, who wants to remain anonymous, has referred to the Taliban regime as “mono-ethnic, mono-religious, and mono-gendered.” In her speech, she emphasized that this group is attempting to eradicate the languages and cultural values of other ethnicities in Afghanistan. According to the claims of this conference participant in Vienna, the Taliban have marginalized the Hazaras and Shiites, exposing them to “genocide.”
The participant in the Vienna Conference added that the Taliban have continued to kill former military personnel, and in addition, they have forced Hindus and Sikhs to leave the country. According to her, if the rule of this group persists, all the material and spiritual assets of the Afghan people will be “blown away.” She expressed concern about the expansion of Taliban’s religious schools and stated that collaboration with a group that essentially possesses organized suicide units is questionable in terms of global harmony and interaction. This lady emphasized that this conference should serve as a warning to global policymakers that continuing cooperation with the Taliban will make the situation uncontrollable.
Mohammad Mohaqiq, a member of the leadership of the National Resistance Council for Salvation of Afghanistan, addressed the conference remotely. He urged participants to outline a desirable vision for the future of Afghanistan so that the country can become an active and beneficial member of the global community. According to him, over the past half-century, the perspective of highly involved countries regarding Afghanistan has been “instrumental,” seeing Afghanistan as a tool for their various interests.
Additionally, participants on the first day of the Vienna Conference on “The Future of Democratic Afghanistan” engaged in discussions and exchanged views at several panel discussions. Speakers in four panels discussed how to establish a unified umbrella for anti-Taliban forces. Some members of this conference called for the creation of a joint working group to determine the roadmap for the future and urged everyone to reach an agreement on major national issues.
Participants in this conference have also praised the struggle and resistance of women against the Taliban. They have stated that despite widespread oppression, torture, and imprisonment, women and girls in Afghanistan continue their struggles, and their resilience should be appreciated. According to the participants, the Taliban have deprived women of even their most basic human rights and, with their “medieval” policies, have turned life into a hell for women and girls in the country.
However, the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) has also announced in a press release that a delegation from this front, led by Ahmad Massoud, has participated in the Vienna Conference. In the front press statement, it is mentioned that this conference is hosted by the “Austrian Insitute for International Affairs.” The front specifies that Ahmad Massoud is expected to hold discussions with some members of the parliament of this country.
As anti-Taliban forces persist in holding meetings, the group has become increasingly angered. Taliban Defense Minister Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid recently addressed the gatherings of opposition figures in Moscow and Vienna. In his speech, he urged these figures to return to Afghanistan instead of convening meetings and making, in his view, “meaningless” statements.
On the other hand, Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs of the Taliban, commented on the Vienna Conference, stating that these gatherings are “unlawful” and organized to “weaken and defame” the group. He added that these meetings cannot dampen the fighting spirit of the group’s fighters. This official from the Taliban’s diplomatic apparatus urged their political opponents to utilize the Taliban’s “general amnesty” decree and die under the flag of the Taliban with dignity.
It is worth mentioning that over the past two years, the Austrian Insitute for International Affairs (OIIP) in Vienna has been hosting meetings of Taliban opponents. This is the third round of discussions involving political figures civil society and media organizations in Europe. Members of this conference last year called for international support for anti-Taliban groups.
