Author: Sayed Hussain Hussainy

The preservation of Afghanistan’s constitution, especially its second chapter, is one of the issues that citizens, especially human rights, women's rights, and civil society activists, have always emphasized as their desire for peace talks.The values guaranteed by the constitution and international norms should not be ignored as a result of the signing of a peace agreement with Taliban. If so, lasting peace will not be achieved. He hoped that the peace negotiation does not compromise the rights and freedoms of the citizens and the constitution should be preserved as a national achievement. He believes that if peace cannot provide the basis for the realization of these values, it will not be a sustainable one. CSHRN: What is your assessment of what has happened so far in the peace talks?Dadgar: Succumbing conflict has taken the lives of thousands of Afghans extensively for at least the last four decades. Although there are concerns about the outcome of the peace talks, we expect both sides to respect the achievements of recent years and adhere to human rights values. There has not been significant progress in the peace talks so far because of disagreements. However, while supporting the peace talks, we expect the talks to put an end to conflict and human rights violations in the country. CSHRN: What opportunities have the negotiations created?Dadgar: We hope that these talks lead to lasting peace. Chaos and conflict in Afghanistan are long-lasting and deep-rooted. Therefore, it is irrational to expect the peace talks to yield results immediately. If real and lasting peace is to be ensured in the country, all dimensions and consequences of the armed conflict must be addressed. Comprehensive peace cannot be achieved unless widespread human rights violations are addressed, and a proper decision is made in accordance with international mechanisms on the consequences…

Behzad: The progress of the Afghan peace talks has been time consuming, which could be due to disagreements between the two sides. But given that the process of peace is very important, the prolongation of this process is understandable. Dialogue between Afghans could lead to more realistic results than the negotiations between the United States and the Taliban. Overall, the negotiation has made satisfactory progress. The fact that the Afghan government representatives are sitting at the negotiating table with the Taliban is promising. In the meantime, some civil society activists believe that since the fall of the Taliban, nearly two decades women’s capabilities are strengthenedIn an interview with the CSHRN, Masoumah Behzad that women have emerged as a potential enemy of the Taliban. This image women have grown stronger in the last two decades. “The Taliban always rejected women and were hostile to them,but in the last two decades, women have made significant progress and have created an identity that cannot be taken away.” Said Masoumah Behzad.CSHRN: How can  presence of women affect the Taliban’s view of women?Behzad: Although the Taliban claim to be an Islamic government, they do not recognize women’s identity.They cannot withdraw women’s identity by force and through terror. Although few seats are reserved for women in the peace talks,  every Afghan woman can represent an identity by playing an important and decisive role in the government.CSHRN: What issues about women should be further emphasized in the negotiations?Behzad: The identity of women should not be denied and their role should be preserved in the social, economic and cultural spheres. In general, the basic rights of women should be one of the red lines of the government in the dialogue. Valuessuch as the achievements of the last two decades for the growth of the republic and…

A number of civil society activists believe that some socially inappropriate behaviors in the country that oppose religious teachings are permissible under name of value, which can cause sensitivity of the Taliban’s negotiating team. In an interview by Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN), Mr. Bahir said that issues such as political participation and women's employment are among the values ​​permitted in religion. However, some other activities under name of value may be sensitive for Taliban. He added that the content of some television programs, such as showing nude images is religiously forbidden carried out under name of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. This can be sensitive for Taliban and they might oppose women’s rights. CSHRN: Do you think there has been a change in the Taliban's view of women? Baher: The fact that Taliban accepted negotiation with female negotiating members and gave an interview to female journalists means that their perspective could change. They used to believe that women should be kept at home. However, now they are willing to sit at the same negotiating table as women do which indicates a change of view.  CSHRN: What is your assessment of what has happened so far in the peace talks? Baher: I think if there is no mediator involvement, demands, proposals, and preconditions in the talks will make the peace process time-consuming and ineffective. Mediators play a major role in resolving disputes. Therefore, the United Nations and the countries involved in this process need to agree on a mediator. CSHRN: Given the history of the Taliban, especially with regards to women, do you think that will the negotiations have a favorable outcome? Baher: Negotiations are the path to achieving peace. Taliban with having military strength and controlling many areas of the country have their own demands.…

A number of civil society activists say that lack of progress in peace talks and the escalation of war and violence have dashed hopes for the talks.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Saies said that lack of progress in the peace talks and the increase in killings and violence have turned hopes and expectations they had for these talks into disappointment. "I think it is necessary for the countries supporting the Afghan government, especially the United Nations, as well as the countries supporting the Taliban, to pressurize both the parties to negotiate a ceasefire first. Since the beginning of the peace talks, violence and killings have reached at its peak, and has raised hostility. Ceasefire should be a precondition to the peace talks.CSHRN: Is peace acceptable only in the sense of ending violence?Saies: The absence of war and violence does not mean peace. Peace is acceptable when different ethnic and religious groups are present in coexistence. Differences should be accepted as a definite fact, in which case we will not have a challenge. We want security with social and occupational safety and freedom of expression.CSHRN: Given the Taliban’s background, especially with regards to women, will the peace talks reach a positive outcome?Saies: The Taliban regime have already experienced failure. They did not respect human rights values during their rule. Women, as half the population of the country, were not given a share in their government. They were not allowed to work, study, or even choose their life partner (husband). If they remain the same, they will be still known as a terrorist and extremist group that is alien to all human values that can hardly submit to peace and humane values.CSHRN: Do you think there has been any change in the Taliban's view of women?Saies: If the…

A number of women's rights activists believe that the presence of female representatives in peace talks could send a message to the Taliban that women, as half of the country's population, have equal rights as men in all areas.As one of the Taliban's main problems is the issue of women's rights, the presence of women representatives in peace talks and their direct dialogue with the Taliban team is a major and effective step in understanding women's demands and conveying their message to the Taliban. "The Taliban said in conversations that they recognize Islamic rights for women. When all applicable laws and the constitution of the country are derived from Islam, what do they mean by Islamic rights?" This shows that the Taliban have not yet accepted the presence of women as a social reality and insist to consider them as the second sex. "The presence of women representatives in peace talks is a sign for the Taliban to know that we are not the second sex, that we are citizens of Afghanistan, that we are educated and working, and that we are advocating for women's rights in dialogue." Said Mrs. Ghori.CSHRN: Given the Taliban’s view of women, do you think that the peace negotiations will have a positive outcome?Ghori: In my opinion, the negotiations have not been accepted by the people so far, and apparently the government has shown great flexibility against the Taliban. However, as a victim of war whose mother was killed by the Taliban, I am glad to hear at least that th deprivation of Afghan people and women in particular isdelivered to the Taliban. Today’s Afghan women are different than Afghan women twenty years ago. Now, women have right to and access to education as well asemployment. We have female judges, prosecutors, teachers, and…

The peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban has raised concerns among citizens, especially women. Women activists, including female athletes, have expressed concerns regarding the social and political status of women after the peace agreement, saying that if the rights and freedoms of female athletes are to be ignored in the next government, they will oppose it. Taliban may hinder the activities of women after taking power. However, women will not allow their achievements in terms of their rights and freedoms including sport to be endangered. "We do not have to succumb due to the vague and confusing fantasies of an anti-civilization group. It is better for them to reform themselves and let all citizens achieve their civil rights.” Said Marwa Ahmadzai. CSHRN: As a journalist and as an Afghan citizen, how do you assess the situation of women in the country? Ahmadzai: Women had significant achievements in the post-Taliban era. Many women have realized their dreams. They have access to education in most parts of the country and work in public and private organizations. Some of them are artists and athletes. Afghan women are also present in media and military forces. Therefore, women’s situation is much better than it was two decades ago during the rule of Taliban. Women are aware of their rights and they will put more effort to defend them. Unfortunately, some Afghan women, especially those living in the areas controlled by Taliban, still have no access to their rights and freedoms. CSHRN: What problems do female athletes face right now?Ahmadzai: Unfortunately, due to the traditional and patriarchal society, it is difficult for women to be athletes in Afghanistan. Though several private clubs exist in Kabul, women's situation still is not satisfactory, and we witness the presence of few women in sports teams. Female athletes face…

According to some civil society activists, the low presence of women in the government's negotiating team is one of the signs of the government's distrust of women's political position. The government does not believe in women's equal participation, in contrast to what it always propagates.In an interview by Civil Society and Human Rights Network (CSHRN), Mr. Rufi said that “despite having a republican political system, the Afghan government does not believe in democratic values, including women's political participation”. He believes that Afghanistan's republican system and constitution believe in equal participation; however, senior government leaders do not. A few numbers of women are working in governmental administrations less than what number is always claimed. This means that the government does not trust women's abilities. The number of female members of the negotiating team of government makes my claim solid that is considerably less than what women deserve to have. Additionally, almost all cabinet members of the government are headed by males except some less worthful ministries headed by females.  CSHRN: You criticized the number of female members in the cabinet and in the negotiating team; however, some people believe that the over-presence of women representatives in the negotiations may have a negative impact on the Taliban's view of women. What is your opinion in this regard?Rufi: I think women should have meaningful participation. In other words, women who are specialized in Islamic and philosophy studies armed with negotiation skills should be selected in the government’s team so that they impress the Taliban and make them realize that women with having merit are part of the Afghan government team. It is almost two decades that Afghanistan's democratic system has provided equal opportunities for both men and women. These women have the capacity and ability to challenge the Taliban negotiating team through…

Since the beginning of the peace talks, issues related to women has become a matter of concern to many citizens, especially women.In an interview with the CSHRN, Shahrzad Akbar said that it is important for both sides of the peace negotiations to reach a common understanding of the position of women in society. She added that the Taliban need to be aware of the realities of the changes that have taken place in Afghanistan and express their views and suggestions with regards those realities. She believes that both negotiators should remember issues such as: the reality of Afghan society, the international obligations, and the reality of women’s lives in Islamic societies and the state of law in these diverse societies.CSHRN: Do you think that the very presence of women in peace talks will affect the Taliban's view with regards to women?Akbar: It is very important for women to be part of the peace process so that not only their voices are heard and their presence is not denied. Although women’s presence in the negotiations is a very good step, their number is insufficient. I really admire these women, their task is hard and there are pressures on them. However, when it comes to women’s rights, we should expect all members of the negotiating team, not just female representatives, to address women’s legal issues. Women’s right is part of human rights issue and it affects all the people of Afghanistan. With half of the population of the country deprived of their basic rights, the country’s economy, political stability, the growth of the country and its relationship with the world will be affected. Therefore, every issue of women’s rights is directly related to our individual lives.CSHRN: Some believe that if the Taliban impose restrictions on women's rights for a peace…

Some experts believe that the current war is not about Afghanistan, it is rather a proxy war. The peace that is currently being discussed in Doha has nothing to do with the citizens of Afghanistan.In an interview with the CSHRN, Mr. Mousavi said that the peace negotiations in Doha has nothing to do with Afghanistan. "Afghanistan's war and peace is a proxy war issue, meaning that Afghanistan has not invaded any country, rather other countries are fighting their battles here. Those who wanted conflict in the region achieved it without being directly involved. The difference between the proxy war of the last fifteen to twenty years and the proxy war of the 1980s and 1990s is that in the recent war all involved parties are assisted and strengthened by the United States. This is not a war of the Afghan people, and the only connection it has with the citizens is the killing, the destruction, the economic, social and psychological problems. This war is in the best interests of the United States and its allies, and unfortunately Afghanistan is in not in a good strategic position.CSHRN: What do you mean by the best interests you mentioned?Mousavi: Two things are needed for the arsenals and the economy of the West as a whole. One is that there must always be war zones around the world for these weapons factories to operate and sell. The largest and most profitable industry in the world is the war industry. The weapons used in Afghanistan are all made abroad, and the mines used here are made in European countries. So one of the main goals of Western economy is that there has to be war and conflict zone. Around 1980, there were about 64 war-torn areas. Now the number has risen to more…

The cohesion of women as a single voice with a common goal is one of the topics that has been discussed many times by active women. This issue is an influential factor in achieving women’s rights.In an interview with the CSHRN, Zainab Movahed said that women must be united to achieve their rights. “The political, social, cultural, and economic presence of women, especially in the last decade and half, have been provided for them by others and less by their hard work. We must achieve cohesion and create a nationwide movement to represent a single voice. Division among women poses threat to peace.” Said Mrs. Movahed. CSHRN: Do you think there is the capacity to create large and inclusive movements among Afghan women?Movahed: I think that women’s rights are stuck in mafia projects. Also, women leaders have not been able to create real cohesion, which makes us unconfident about their ability to create a movement.  Women in the negotiating team have proposed solutions for achieving women’s rights that are contrary to the indigenous and traditional beliefs of our society which may cause sensitivities. In other word, they have suggested foreign models that are not socially acceptable to the people. In fact, people react to external phenomena. However, women can create influential movements if they work with sincerity and not because of political or economic intentions. Additionally, the Taliban claim that all Afghan women could not be reduced to women working in the media and politics which is a valid criticism. Most Afghan women do not have access to education or basic health care facilities. The people in power should be held accountable for their failure to create cohesion among all Afghans.CSHRN: Given the Taliban history, especially with regards to women, do you think that the peace talks will reach…