UN Deputy Secretary-General After Doha Meeting with Taliban: We Are Still at the Beginning of the Process

The political deputy of the UN Secretary-General stated that international representatives raised their concerns regarding the restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan during their meeting with the Taliban delegation at the third Doha meeting. Rosemary DiCarlo made this statement on Monday at the end of the two-day meeting, which was hosted by the UN in the capital of Qatar, and added that the process is ongoing and 'we are still at the beginning of it.' She emphasized that her main concern and that of the special representatives of countries for Afghanistan was the ongoing restrictions on Afghan girls and women, as the country cannot integrate into the global community or grow economically and socially by depriving 50 percent of its population. Despite the opposition from representatives of Afghan civil society and opponents of the Taliban government, this extremist Islamist group, which has held power in Afghanistan since mid-August 2021, attended the Doha meeting for the first time. In part of her remarks on Monday, DiCarlo stated that discussions were held at the Doha meeting with the Taliban representatives regarding the necessity of forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan and respecting the rights of women and minorities. The absence of representatives of women and Afghan civil society at the third Doha meeting drew criticism. Although the UN stated that it would meet with them on Tuesday, some Afghan women boycotted this meeting. DiCarlo remarked, 'Unfortunately, the current authorities (of Afghanistan) are not willing to sit at the table with Afghan civil society within this framework, but they clearly heard the need for the participation of women and civil society in all aspects of public life.' The Deputy Secretary-General of the UN added that the issues raised are part of the ongoing process.