3rd Doha Meeting between Taliban & UN representatives
UN political chief Rosemary DiCarlo called the 3rd Doha meeting useful despite the Taliban’s characterization of international criticism regarding the group’s restrictions on women and girls as a policy difference.
DiCarlo, who chaired the meeting, said at a press conference following the conclusion of the meeting today, that the discussions were “frank” and the first time for such in-depth talks with a Taliban delegation.
“We are pursuing a principled, step-by-step approach with a clear understanding of the expected outcomes and commitments from all parties,” DiCarlo said.
Addressing concerns about overlooking Taliban restrictions on women and girls, DiCarlo emphasised that she and the special envoys raised these issues throughout the discussions.
However, the Taliban published the statement delivered by Mujahid in the meeting yesterday where he recognized that some countries have a problem with Taliban measures but called it a policy difference. Mujahid further added that “we uphold certain religious and cultural values” that are “internal matters” and must be “acknowledged by the international community.”
DiCarlo did not detail the UN and other participants’ response to Mujahid’s statement but emphasized that the discussions were based on an independent assessment recognized by the UN Security Council last November.
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The independent assessment the UN Security Council recommended that any normalization and engagement with the Taliban should include measurable improvements in upholding Afghanistan’s obligations under international law.
The two-day 3rd Doha meeting was the third round of U.N.-hosted talks with special envoys on Afghanistan. Taliban was not invited to the first round and refused to attend the second round due to their condition of being the sole representative of Afghanistan was rejected by the UN.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres, speaking after the second round of talks in Doha, called the Taliban demands unacceptable. He stated, “These conditions first of all denied us the right to talk to other representatives of the Afghan society and demanded a treatment that would, I would say, to a large extent be similar to recognition.”
However, in a move that drew strong criticism and condemnation, the UN accepted the Taliban’s condition this time and did not invite non-Taliban Afghans to the third round of the 3rd Doha meeting
Speaking at the press conference, DiCarlo said that the meaningful inclusion of women in political and peace processes is a guiding principle of the UN and “this meeting and this process of engagement does not mean normalization or recognition.”
Another key issue the 3rd Doha meeting was expected to address was the appointment of a special envoy for Afghanistan, which the Taliban has rejected. When questioned about the appointment, DiCarlo said she was unaware of the Taliban’s current position but insisted the UN would continue the Doha process.
