A generation of profound change does not fall victim to peace

After the fall of the Taliban regime, profoundchanges took place in different sections of the society. Theyoung  generation,  both boys and girlshave access to educational opportunities. These opportunities have become the basis for further progress and success in recent years. The presence of women in various sectors, including governmentalpositions and social activities  are  part of these successes.

In an interview with  the CSHRN, Mr. Rahmani said that the Taliban’s demands indicate that they want to revive the Islamic Emirate which is not acceptable for the people of Afghanistan. Women who are highly educated and hold public office, work in society or have private businesses cannot be ignored. It is also impossible to sacrifice a young generation of millions  who are graduated from  unviversities seeking change.

CSHRN: How can women’s presence in the peace talks affect the Taliban’s view of women?

Rahmani: Women’s presence in the government’s team surprised the Taliban. However, the Taliban’s views of women have not changed and as long as the Taliban do not accept the objective social, political and cultural facts of the last two decades about women, and until there is a profound ideological shift in their beliefs, we should be seriously concerned about the violation of women’s rights in areas where the Taliban will control after the peace agreement. Both male and female members of the negotiating team should act as moderate Muslims to represent the value of our constitution.

CSHRN: If the Taliban impose restrictions on women’s rights, what should be the government’s position?

Rahmani: Any restrictions on women’s rights should be addressed. We aspire for peace but the Taliban want killing and destruction. However, war is preferable to authoritarian peace. If an authoritarian peace is established, it will not last more than five years before a civil war is shaped. It is better for the Taliban to realize the realities of the time and accept that another generation and era has come, and the world cannot tolerate their savagery. This group should create a government based on the moderate Islamic beliefs, under the shadow of which the people can move towards the prosperity.

CSHRN: What is your assessment of what has happened in the negotiations so far?

Rahmani: The Taliban have taken the necessary concessions from the United States in a very complicated game, and it is obvious that they have given concessions to the Americans as well. The release of 5,000 terrorists without a ceasefire or a very serious agreement was indeed perhaps the greatest advantage the United States could give to the Taliban. But what happened was that the Taliban no longer had an excuse not to start talks with the Afghan government. Since the Taliban are not fundamentally in favor of negotiation and peace, they will not actually engage in real negotiations. For almost a month, this group has stubbornly insisted on a series of conditions for the start of negotiations, which are not acceptable to our government.

CSHRN: Can you elaborate these conditions?

Rahamdi: One of the issues raised by the Taliban was that in the negotiation process, discussions should proceed according to Hanafi jurisprudence, the minority rights and the Jafari jurisprudence issues should be discussed after the agreement and settlement in Kabul, which is not acceptable to the Afghan government. If so, about seven to eight million of the country’s Shia population, whose rights are granted by the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, would be ignored. The next argument is that the Taliban are destroying diversity; they do not want a republic government. They want a system that is the Islamic Emirate, but under a pseudonym. Also, with the release of 5000 prisoners, the Taliban have not fulfilled their promise of ceasefire. Instead, violence has increased.

CSHRN: What should be the red lines of the government in the negotiations?

Rahmadi: The red line of the Afghan government and people is the constitution. Neglecting the constitution is analogous to having an Islamic Emirate.

According to Mr. Rahmani, the problem with the peace talks is that the Taliban are negotiating with the Afghan government on the one hand, and their attacks are intensifying on the other, which is a dichotomy and the war is practically continuing. However, he said, some regional and international powers now support the republic’s values, which is promising for Afghanistan’s future.