The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, said that he and Rina Amiri, US envoy for Afghan women and human rights, spoke with acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amir Khan Muttaqi, during which they “conveyed unified international opposition to ongoing and expanding restrictions on women and girls’ rights and role in society.”
West said that he also discussed the economic stabilization to support the people of Afghanistan.
“Also discussed economic stabilization to support Afghan people, concerns about terrorist attacks on civilians, and recent dissolution of important institutions,” he said.
The US envoy said that the dialogue will continue in “support of Afghan people and our national interests.”
West also expressed concern over the schools closed for girls above grade six and said, “girls must be back in school, women free to move and work without restrictions for progress to normalized relations.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said, in talks between Muttaqi and the two special envoys, West “elaborated on developments in the US on the Afghan financial sector, particularly the banking and monetary system” as well as humanitarian issues.
“Minister Muttaqi called the same a favorable development, adding that we have achievements in numerous areas; security has been ensured, Daesh has been defeated & none will be allowed to use Afghanistan’s soil against others,” said Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesman for MoFA on Twitter.
The US envoy for Afghan women and human rights, Rina Amiri, also stressed in a series of tweets that the meeting “underscored restoration of rights of women and girls and (that the) protection of vulnerable populations are essential to any progress with the Taliban.”
Amiri said she raised concerns regarding “dissolution of AIHRC (Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission) and constitution and reconciliation commissions.” And also stressed that “this contradicts demands of Afghans for greater accountability and needs to be remedied.”
