Afghanistan’s Powerful Women Movement has denounced the recent remarks made by Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, regarding the recognition of the Taliban group. The movement sees the move as a betrayal of women who live under the group’s oppressive rule.
In a strongly worded statement, Afghanistan’s Powerful Women’s Movement has criticized the United Nations’ upcoming meeting in Doha, which aims to discuss the possibility of recognizing the Taliban, arguing that such a move would only legitimize the Taliban’s rule and is a betrayal of women living under its oppressive regime.
On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, Afghanistan’s Powerful Women Movement released a statement condemning Amina Mohammed’s remarks as “unexpected” and “an insult and betrayal of millions of men and women living under the rule and tyranny of the Taliban”. The movement demanded an explanation from the UN and its leadership regarding the potential recognition of the Taliban.
Afghanistan’s Powerful Women Movement has unequivocally rejected any efforts to legitimize the Taliban regime, condemning the remarks by the Taliban lobbyists and their legitimization supporters. The movement has argued that the Taliban’s brutal oppression of women and their disregard for the human rights of all Afghan citizens should disqualify them from any recognition or acceptance on the international stage. The movement’s statement also called out Amina Mohammed’s remarks, characterizing them as a betrayal of the millions of women who have no choice but to bear the Taliban’s oppression.
“After regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have not spared any kind of oppression on the people of Afghanistan, especially women, and have turned life into a bitter nightmare for the women and people of Afghanistan,” the statement reads. “Therefore, we consider the recent remarks made by Amina Mohammed of the UN, as a great insult to the people of Afghanistan and the women oppressed by the Taliban.”
According to the statement, the recent events involving the Taliban’s gross violations of human rights and their elimination of women from public life had led Afghan women to expect a more serious response from the international community. However, the UN’s unexpected move toward legitimizing the Taliban regime has left them feeling deeply disappointed and let down.
“We believed that the world, especially the United Nations, would have a serious and responsible reaction against the Taliban, but unfortunately, the women of Afghanistan were once again surprised and shocked by the irresponsible statements of Amina Mohammed,” the statement reads. “Therefore, we will consider any irresponsible reactions and statements regarding the legitimization of the Taliban by the United Nations, as alignment with the Taliban, oppression of the Afghan people, especially women, a betrayal, and a historical disgrace.”
An upcoming meeting hosted by the United Nations in Doha, Qatar, on May 1, 2023, has drawn concern from Afghan people, especially women’s protest groups and movements. The meeting will reportedly discuss the possibility of recognizing the Taliban regime as a legitimate government in Afghanistan, according to recent statements made by the UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed. The meeting is scheduled to take place in the same city where the peace agreement between the US and the Taliban was signed, leading to the overthrow of the Republican regime and the Taliban’s rise to power.
