Law students and lawyers in Afghanistan are filing reports with JURIST on the situation there after the Taliban takeover. Here, a Staff Correspondent for JURIST in Kabul reports on the outcome of Sunday’s extraordinary meeting of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation on Afghanistan. For privacy and security reasons, we are withholding his name. The text has been only lightly edited to respect the author’s voice.
On Sunday the Organization for Islamic Cooperation held an extraordinary meeting on Afghanistan. This was the largest meeting on Afghanistan since the fall of the former government and the withdrawal of the US and NATO forces from the country.
In this meeting, delegates from more than 60 member countries attended, along with other participants. Member states were urged to unblock the financial and banking channels to resume the flow of liquidity and financial assistance to Afghanistan.
No Recognition
The OIC-member states agreed to send an international team of Islamic scholars to Afghanistan to meet with the Taliban top leadership on issues such as tolerance and moderation in Islam, equal access to education, women’s rights, and counter terrorism.
No OIC member-state country has formally recognized the Taliban government, which makes it very difficult for the countries to process any humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The OIC meeting itself did not lead to formal international recognition of the Taliban government, which the Taliban talk about more than everything.
UN Under-Secretary-General Martin Griffith said that the UN would work to request $4.5 billion in annual aid to Afghanistan for the coming year. Mr. Griffith stated “Next year, the United Nations will announce the largest request for the largest humanitarian aid to a country, raising $ 4.5 billion annually for vital aid to the people of Afghanistan”. He added, “the need for immediate liquidity is essential not only for banks and the public but also for the work of international humanitarian institutions.”
Pakistan: Trying to Assist the Taliban
Despite the fact that no country has yet recognized the Taliban government, some political figures of the former government and civil society activists have expressed concern that Pakistan is actually talking on behalf of the Taliban-led government in Afghanistan. Furthermore, some former political figures are saying that Pakistan is trying to urge nations to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
Iran Calls for Truly Inclusive Government
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian addressed the meeting, stating that Iran values long-term security and political and social stability in Afghanistan for the sake of the region’s collective interests.
“We believe in lasting security and political and social stability in Afghanistan only through genuine collective participation and inclusive and effective governance,” he said.
Saudi Arabia: Afghanistan’s Tragedy Must End
Speaking at the meeting of the OIC, Saudi Arabia Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan said that the tragedy in Afghanistan must be ended by collective action. He added that Saudi Arabia had sent food aid, medicine and equipment to Afghanistan so far.
Saudi Arabia was one of three countries that recognized the Taliban government in the 1990s, but in a speech today, the foreign minister made no mention of Taliban recognition.
Turkey: Working with the Taliban is Essential to Achieving Stability
Turkish Foreign Minister said at the meeting that Afghanistan’s economic collapse should be avoided. He went on to say that OIC should collaborate with other international organizations to seek assistance for Afghanistan. Additionally, the Turkish Foreign Minister urged the Taliban to consider inclusive government, plus women’s education and right to work.
