Afghanistan: Taliban promise amnesty and respect for women’s rights “under Islamic law” in Afghanistan | international

NS Taliban He promised this Tuesday that he would honor Women’s rights, who can work and study if they want to, but as long as they do so “within Islamic law”. In his first press conference in obscene “We don’t want enemies inside or outside the country,” said the group’s main spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, after taking power in Afghanistan. The group has promised a general amnesty across Afghanistan, though calls for reconciliation have failed to pacify many residents, who still fear reprisals from militias whose regime implemented a more fundamentalist version of Islam between 1996 and 2001.

“Our women are Muslims and we would be happy to abide by the rules of Sharia,” he said. He also stressed that there would be no retaliation against Afghan soldiers or government personnel. “No one will harm you, no one will knock on your doors,” he added.

Despite this, many educated elites of urban Afghans, Women and youth are suspicious. Both journalists and human rights defenders claim that militia members have lists of people who have cooperated with the government or international organizations and are wanted. Some of them, especially activists, decided to hide until the situation cleared up.

Despite the general calm prevailing in Kabul, Women have almost disappeared from the streets And the few who ventured would wear a burqa and be accompanied by a man, as was mandatory during the five-year period when the Taliban ruled most of the country. But the Taliban also wanted to send a message of reassurance.

During the speech on state television, a member of the Cultural Committee, Enamullah Semanghani, said that this gesture was directed mainly at civil servants, whom he urged to return to work. This announcement coincided with the arrival of Taliban political leader Abdul Ghani Baradar, after a decade without setting foot in Afghanistan, in another sign of the militia’s consolidation of power.

tow days After the acquisitionThe Islamist group is trying to project an image of moderation that contrasts with the brutality it showed during its dictatorial rule (1996-2001). For now, he has managed to keep Kabul calm, despite the uncertainty delaying a return to normal life. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan with dignity and honesty announced a general amnesty for all of Afghanistan, especially for those who were in the opposition or supported the occupiers for years and recently,” Samanghani announced on the Roads and Transport Authority, Afghan Television Radio. State institutions have been under the control of the Taliban since Sunday.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (EIA) is the name the Taliban renamed the state when they seized power in 1996, ending a bloody civil war that has erupted since the departure of Soviet forces in 1989. He went underground with American interventionIn 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks, it retained that name and during those two decades continued to consider itself the legitimate government of the country.

Now the Taliban calls “the opposition” those who have worked with governments that have been out of the polls since the US invasion and have won the support of the West. Since Kabul surrendered on SundayOther leaders also spoke the same way.

“The doors of EIA have been opened to all those who have already done so Work and help the invaders Or they are now in the ranks of the corrupt Kabul administration and have already declared an amnesty. Suhail Shaheen, a spokeswoman for the group’s political office in Qatar, tweeted on Saturday.

Samangani who described Women as ‘the main victims of more than 40 years of conflict in Afghanistan’He said the Islamic Emirate wants to change that. To this end, “wish to provide a working and study environment for women, and the presence of women in various structures [do Governo]”According to Islamic law and in line with our cultural values,” the spokesman said.

It remains to be seen how this translates into reality, because whenever the Taliban talks about women’s education or work, they condition their development on Islamic law, whose interpretation varies according to ideology. The statement also does not explain what it means to implement it (Afghanistan is already an Islamic republic), which is implied Afghans know the rules. The first reports of the cities they occupied are contradictory.

It is also not clear when the pardon was issued or who signed it. Although the group was led over five years by Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, it was the group’s second-in-command and co-founder of the militia, Abdul Ghani Baradar, who kept it together. Negotiations with the United States and the political weight of the campaign. He is considered the political leader of the group. Everything indicates that he can become The next president of AfghanistanBut for now, the Taliban summit is continuing its talks in Doha, the capital of Qatar, about the future government, its structure and its name, according to the Afghan network ToloNews.

Looks like the Taliban are trying to stop More Afghans are fleeing the country For fear of retaliation or of their system. The chaotic scenes of the previous day at Kabul airport, where thousands of people stormed the runways and attempted to board a plane taking them out of the country, sent a strong message of rejection. The American soldiers who took control of the airport and the Afghan forces supporting them succeeded in restoring order and resuming flights to keep out the foreigners, embassy personnel and residents who assisted them during the years after the invasion.

Participation over here To receive the daily newsletter from EL PAÍS Brasil: reports, analysis, exclusive interviews and key information for the day in your email, from Monday to Friday. Participation Also to receive our weekly newsletter on Saturday, with the highlights of the week’s coverage.