KABUL (Reuters) – Thousands of religious and ethnic leaders on Saturday called on the international community to officially recognize their administration in Afghanistan after a massive rally organized by the Taliban in Kabul, but did not change course on the issue of rights. women.
The country sank into an economic crisis last August, when the Taliban seized power and Western countries implemented financial sanctions to make them respect human rights.
“We call on international countries, especially Islamic countries, to recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, lift all sanctions, unfreeze (central bank) funds and support the development of Afghanistan,” said some 4,000 participants in the rally in a statement, while no country has yet recognized the government put in place by the Taliban.
In March, the latter withdrew from the announcement of the reopening of high schools for girls, saying that they would remain closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with Islamic law. The about-face left students in tears and drew condemnation from aid organizations, rights groups and diplomats.
In speeches broadcast by state television, a small number of participants mentioned the education of women. Taliban deputy chief and interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani said these issues would take time.
The Taliban’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, who made an appearance in Kabul for the rally, nevertheless said the foreigners had given no orders.
Religious leaders also added in the statement that the defense of the Islamic emirate was paramount and that the terrorist group Islamic State (IS), which said it was behind several attacks in the country, was illegal.
(Report by Mohammad Yunus Yawar, French version Caroline Pailliez)
by Mohammad Yunus Yawar