U.S. Special Representative for Women's Affairs in Afghanistan: Our Patience with the Taliban is Running Out

Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Representative for Women, Girls, and Human Rights in Afghanistan, after meeting with officials from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, emphasized support for the people of Afghanistan and stated that their patience with the Taliban has come to an end. Amiri announced on social media platform X that she discussed the approval of the new Taliban law on 'Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice,' a law that she claims aims to completely eliminate Afghan women from society. She added, 'My message was clear. Our support for the people of Afghanistan is unwavering, but our patience with the Taliban is running out. The path to domestic and international legitimacy is respect for the rights of the people of Afghanistan.' The Taliban government issued the law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which consists of 35 articles and was signed by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader in Afghanistan, two weeks ago. The Taliban stated that this law addresses 'inspection procedures and principles.' The Ministry of Justice of this group described the purpose of the law as 'preventing vices and avoiding sin.' The law also provides methods for punishing and penalizing individuals who violate it. Among the provisions of the Taliban's law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, rules regarding women's hijab are mentioned, emphasizing that 'complete covering of a woman's body is mandatory, and concealing a woman's face is necessary to prevent fitna (sedition).' Additionally, Article 13 of this law prohibits women from being heard, even in singing or reciting the Quran, stating that a woman's loud voice is considered 'awrah' (private parts). The U.S. Special Representative for Women, Girls, and Human Rights in Afghanistan also announced that in her meeting with Lana Nusseibeh, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, they discussed the situation of women in Afghanistan, and both parties emphasized support for Afghan women and girls. They also deemed support for the rights of women and girls essential for Afghanistan's resistance against the Taliban. At the end of this meeting, Amiri and Nusseibeh issued a joint statement declaring that the United States and the UAE will continue to support women and girls, especially children, in areas such as education, healthcare services, and alternative livelihoods. While American, Qatari, and Emirati officials have expressed concern over the new Taliban law, its approval has sparked significant reactions in recent days, with some international human rights organizations, including the United Nations, calling for its repeal. Most recently, Amnesty International expressed concern over severe human rights violations in Afghanistan, stating that three years after the Taliban's takeover, Afghanistan remains a ground for widespread and unchecked human rights violations. The organization announced that during this period, sexual harassment, torture, arbitrary detentions, and censorship have continued in the country, with the Taliban showing no accountability in this regard. Amnesty International criticized the silence of the international community and the lack of serious responses from countries, urging everyone, especially Afghan citizens, to sign this petition. Furthermore, United Nations experts indicated that this Taliban action will increase discrimination and oppression in Afghanistan. In response to these concerns, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the Taliban government, stated that if a non-Muslim expresses concern or criticizes these laws, they should first familiarize themselves with Islamic laws and respect Islamic values. He said, 'Such protests against Islamic Sharia are considered their audacity.' He added that Muslims should also be aware of the rulings of their religion. Mujahid emphasized that there should be no concern regarding the implementation of these laws, as they do not restrict anyone or subject anyone to 'oppression and tyranny.'