RASC News Agency: A Taliban official, during a meeting with the UNAMA political chief in Kabul, stated that foreign diplomats must respect the existing principles in Afghanistan. This meeting took place three days after UNAMA criticized the “Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law. UNAMA had expressed concerns about the restriction of people’s rights and the extensive powers granted to enforcers of this law.
Zakirullah Zakir, head of the office of the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister, met with Scott Smith, the head of UNAMA’s political section, in Kabul on Wednesday. He remarked, “The Islamic Emirate respects the work of all foreign diplomats residing in the country and asks them to respect the existing principles.” UNAMA had warned that the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law, by disregarding Afghanistan’s religious diversity, would have concerning impacts on religious freedoms and impose restrictions on journalists and the media.
The organization further added that further curtailing people’s rights would make it more difficult for countries to engage with the Taliban. Zakir countered by saying that the UN and other countries’ concerns regarding Taliban laws are unfounded. He stated, “The Taliban respects human rights within the framework of Islam, and the laws in Afghanistan are based on religion, so there is no reason for concern.”
Western nations and the United Nations have repeatedly urged the Taliban to respect the rights of the people, especially women, in accordance with Afghanistan’s international commitments. Afghanistan has signed several conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Yesterday, the international community described the “Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law as a “brazen attack” on human rights in Afghanistan and called on the Taliban, as the ruling regime, to honor Afghanistan’s commitments under human rights treaties.
The Taliban have dismissed international criticisms of the “Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law as “audacity” and accused Afghanistani critics of “loss of faith.” Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced last week that both internal and external criticisms would have no effect on the enforcement of these laws.
