Top political official says rights of Afghan women, girls ‘key’ part of Doha talks

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 3rd July. Under-Secretary-General for political affairs Rosemary DiCarlo on Tuesday reiterated that human rights, especially the rights of Afghan women and girls, and inclusion of all members of the society will be an integral part of all discussions on Afghanistan in Doha talks.

“This morning, we heard views from members of Afghan civil society, women and men, who provided us the special envoys and the UN with valuable insights on the rights of women and minorities in the country, girls’ education, the media, business and many other issues,” Rosemary DiCarlo told the media in Doha, as she emerged from the Third Meeting of Special Envoys on Afghanistan.

“They shared their views and perspectives on the Doha process, as well as on engagement between Afghanistan and the international community generally .our exchange was extremely important and useful,” she added.

She noted that the ongoing talks in Doha was the first instance the Taliban de facto authorities attended the discussions. They did not participate in the first and second rounds, held in May 2023 and February 2024.

The consultations build upon the proposals outlined in an independent review on an integrated and coherent approach conducted by Feridun Sinirlioğlu, in line with Security Council resolution 2679, she noted.

Ms. DiCarlo underscored that this is the beginning of this process, and it will take time and patience.

She added that there is a need to build trust on all sides.

Ms. DiCarlo emphasized that the dialogue must built on honesty and on principles those of the UN Charter and the various human rights treaties that Afghanistan is a party to.

She said helping all the people of Afghanistan remains the main objective.

Ms. DiCarlo stressed that she made it clear during the talks that Afghanistan has signed on to a number of treaties and international agreements that focused on human and civil rights, and Afghanistan, as a country, is bound by these agreements, therefore it is not an internal issue, when asked  whether she thinks that human rights and civil rights is an internal issue in Afghanistan.