Kabul: Afghan women protested in Kabul on Saturday, defying a crackdown on dissent, to urge foreign nations not to recognise the Taliban government before a UN summit next week.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women’s rights protesters have been beaten, detained, and dispersed by security forces.
Small groups of women have continued to meet occasionally.
Before a UN summit in Doha to discuss a “durable way forward” for Afghanistan, 25 marched through a residential area in Kabul on Saturday.
“Recognition of Taliban — violation of women’s rights,” the women chanted during the 10-minute march, which was peaceful and unopposed by security forces.
“Afghan people, hostages of Taliban” and “We will fight, we will die, we will take our rights” were other chants.
Since the Taliban took power in 2021 after the US withdrew, no nation has recognised the government.
Only Pakistan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia recognised the 1996–2001 Taliban government.
Diplomats, NGOs, and aid agencies disagree.
Some believe the international community could persuade the Taliban to reverse women’s rights restrictions by offering recognition.
Some say discussing it gives the Taliban legitimacy while they’re squeezing women out of public life.
Last week, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the Doha meeting starting Monday could discuss “baby steps” towards recognition, with conditions.
“Some think this is impossible. “Some say it has to happen,” Mohammed said at Princeton University.
“The Taliban clearly want recognition… and that’s the leverage we have.”
The UN said Afghanistan’s “de facto authorities” were not invited to Doha.
“Recognition is not an issue,” a world body spokesman said Friday.
Protester Shamail Tawana Nasiri, 26, told AFP that any discussion of formal recognition “will give the Taliban motivation”.
It worries oppressed people.
