Zamir Kabulov: recognition of the Taliban government requires inclusiveness and human rights Presidential Special Representative for Afghanistan Kabulov told RBC in an interview when the conditions for recognizing the Taliban government are “ripe” and what steps they need to take to achieve this
Creating an inclusive government and observance of human rights in Afghanistan are necessary for the official recognition of the Taliban government (members of the Taliban terrorist movement banned in Russia) in the country, Zamir Kabulov, special presidential envoy for Afghanistan, said in an interview with RBC.
“Both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of Russia have repeatedly said that there is a set of demands from the world community— it is the ethnopolitical inclusiveness of the government. There are representatives of other ethnic groups in the government, but they are all members of the Taliban movement. We do not name names, specific personalities, they themselves must determine. Second— we expect the Taliban to uphold basic human rights norms. First of all, of course, this concerns women, their rights to work and other ordinary civil rights, — he said.
Kabulov explained that Russia does not impose its own views on this issue. Afghanistan has cultural and religious traditions, while other Muslim countries have similar traditions, and the experience of other countries can be taken as an example. “We are looking forward to this. When there is not just progress in this issue, but progress, then the conditions will ripen for the official recognition of the new authorities of Afghanistan, — he said.
Asked how the Taliban could be encouraged to create an inclusive government, Kabulov said: “We will persuade.” “In addition to our beliefs, which, by and large, are words, there are realities of life. The Taliban, if they came to Afghanistan seriously and for a long time and want to remain in power, will have to manage the country, and govern the country in the absence of material resources, in the absence of external assistance and not only humanitarian, but also economic assistance to the development and restoration of all sectors of life this state will not succeed, so this factor will have to be taken into account. If there is common sense and a sense of self-preservation, then they will force them to take the necessary steps, — diplomat added.
Kabulov also noted little progress on the issue of respect for human rights, namely women and girls, noting that it is “very slowly happening, but still happening.” According to him, school holidays were announced in Afghanistan because of the cold weather. He explained that schools are not heated, so the school year starts in the spring. “I literally saw a message yesterday that universities will start opening on February 2. For girls will open, but in separate classes with boys. Well, we'll see. This is, of course, a small, but still progress. We said yesterday that the Taliban will have to reckon with these realities, the necessity and create conditions in the country that are normal for the majority of citizens. But it won't happen quickly,— RBC's interlocutor explained.
According to Kabulov, his assessment of the situation in Afghanistan agrees with the views expressed by the UN. The organization previously stated the dramatic situation in humanitarian terms, the growth of unemployment and the country's dependence on humanitarian aid. “I think the UN assessment is a little overdressed. The situation is actually getting worse,"— he said.
The diplomat added that there is no big progress in unfreezing Afghan accounts in the US. According to him, the Americans are releasing certain amounts in parts, but at the same time they put forward the Taliban as a condition for the withdrawal of the Central Bank of Afghanistan from government control. “But this is a capitulation demand. That doesn't happen. Then the Americans forgot that they lost the war in Afghanistan, and not vice versa. Therefore, it is not for them to set conditions for surrender. And this is a humiliation for any country when its Central Bank is under the control of any foreign state, so the Taliban reject it, — continued Kabulov.
The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. The situation in the country escalated with the beginning of the withdrawal of troops of the international coalition led by the United States. After the start of the Taliban offensive, President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, and most cities surrendered without a fight. After the seizure of power, representatives of the movement promised that they would ensure the rights and freedoms of women within the framework of Sharia law.
Subscribe to VK RBC Get news faster than anyone else