The head of the Swiss delegation, Ambassador Raphael Nageli, told journalists on Thursday that the talks with the eleven-strong Afghan Taliban delegation were “open” and “honest”. The head of the Asia and Pacific department in the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) emphasized the importance of the meeting, despite the lack of concrete results.
At the meeting, the Taliban reiterated their promise to give girls public schooling from March next year. “We expect them to keep this promise,” said the Swiss ambassador, “we will judge them by their actions and not by their words”.
For the time being, Switzerland did not accept the Taliban’s offer to reopen the cooperation office in Kabul, possibly with security guarantees. «Everything depends on the development of our work on the ground and our assessment of the security situation. It is too early, there is no imminent plan,” the ambassador said.
The meeting in Geneva since Sunday was “neither a legitimation nor a recognition” of the Taliban as the self-proclaimed Afghan government, but “an opportunity to convey messages,” Nageli continued. Switzerland has expressed its expectations in relation to human rights, international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. Further meetings were not planned for the time being.
“We are deeply concerned by reports of kidnappings and reprisals against people associated with the former Afghan government,” said the Ambassador, “as well as violence against human rights defenders, women and intellectuals.”
The Afghan UN ambassador in Geneva, Nasir Andisha, had asked official Switzerland not to meet the Taliban. He had repeatedly denounced their activities before the Human Rights Council.
After meeting with several countries in Oslo a few weeks ago, the Taliban are actively seeking international recognition. The Taliban delegation arrived in Switzerland on Sunday at the invitation of the Geneva Appeal non-governmental organization. Talks were also held with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Doctors Without Borders.
The Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August last year. However, their government is not recognized internationally. According to the United Nations, 4.7 million people in Afghanistan are likely to suffer from severe malnutrition this year, including 3.9 million children. 131,000 children are at risk of starvation without additional help.
Switzerland provided aid totaling around CHF 60 million in Afghanistan last year. Bern supported the activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United Nations and non-governmental organizations. Swiss aid of at least CHF 27 million is planned for this year.