Women Must Play a Dynamic Role and Have Direct Participation in the Upcoming Doha Talks

The HRD+ is deeply concerned about the absence of Afghan women’s important role and position in the upcoming Doha talks. The United Nations, which is organizing and managing these talks, is obligated to respect the fundamental role of women in resolving issues in Afghanistan in accordance with international laws, particularly international human rights. The people of Afghanistan are part of the global community and their rights should not be compromised in international forums.
The HRD+ expresses ongoing and extensive support for oppressed Afghan women and states that the absence of women in the Doha talks contradicts the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
The absence of women implies acceptance of the unfair and dictatorial preconditions set by the de facto Taliban against human rights, civil society, and national legitimacy. The HRD+ firmly states that accepting the Taliban’s preconditions damages the dignity and trust of the national and international community in the United Nations.
The HRD+ calls on the organizers and hosts of the Doha talks to seriously consider the recent report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and to take its recommendations into account in the upcoming talks. It has been mentioned that the UN will launch consultative programs with representatives of civil society and women before and after the Doha talks. The HRD+ requests that the hosts of this meeting do not marginalize women and civil society through this approach.
The HRD+ urges the hosts of the Doha talks to reconsider the agenda and the invitation of participants in this meeting.