Human rights conditions have notably deteriorated in Afghanistan. The Afghan government has restricted several rights including the freedom of speech, the rights of women and girls and the rights of vulnerable communities one after another since its coming to power in 2021. The latest decision of it restricts the running of Saloons by women. To improve human rights conditions, the United States held talks with the Taliban leaders. According to multiple sources including the BBC, talks were held between the representative of the United States and Afghanistan in Doha — the capital city of Qatar — last week. Though the Doha talks did not result in any notable outcomes, it is a good step that may help improve human rights conditions in Afghanistan.
It is to note that the violation of human rights in Afghanistan has become a longstanding concern. Restricting human rights has by this time resulted in widespread fear, oppression and a significant deterioration of living conditions for many Afghans and hindered the progress toward development. But restrictions on human rights may bring further negative impacts for the Afghan people in the future too. While international organizations and governments have made efforts to uphold human rights in Afghanistan in response to imposed restrictions, they are scant since most governments and organizations do not have any good relations with the government for several reasons including the imposition of the strict Sharia law and the violation of human rights one after another. Along with the withdrawal of support and restricting aid, many governments and organizations have expressed their condemnations against the Taliban government.
But it is almost impossible to be convinced that the Afghan government will do anything notable to improve the human rights conditions of the people on its own. Improved relations between governments and international organizations and Afghanistan may be helpful. While the withdrawal of governments and international organizations helped the Taliban leaders to impose restrictions on the Afghan people one after another without any accountability, an increased involvement of governments and organizations may help exert diplomatic pressure on Afghanistan to ensure that they adhere to certain human rights. But several factors including the oppressive ideologies of the Taliban government and deeply ingrained cultural norms and traditions — which perpetuate unacceptable discrimination against girls, women and marginalized communities — may put hindrances to bringing notable outcomes.
It is definitely desired that human rights conditions are improved in Afghanistan. But external efforts are crucial. Talks with the Taliban leaders are imperative. Given that the US and Afghanistan expressed interest in further talks at the Doha talks, it is also desired that further talks are held. But along with the diplomatic negotiations of countries and international organizations, leveraging economic aid as a means of incentivizing compliance may be effective. It is also crucial to provide support to local civil society organizations and human rights defenders to protect and promote human rights. But the Taliban government needs to be earnest in upholding at least some rights of the Afghan people including, but not limited to, freedom of speech.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
