A New York court has denied the request to compensate 9/11 victims from Afghanistan’s frozen foreign reserves. However, the decision is still under review.
The decision was tweeted by the Chargé d’Affaires of Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN, Naseer Ahmad Faiq:
“The Taliban’s victims have fought for years for justice, accountability and compensation. They are entitled to no less,” the posted letter said. “But the law limits what compensation the court may authorize, and those limits put the DAB’s assets beyond its authority.”
US Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn made the recommendation.
The decision of the court to deny demands of 9/11 victims for compensation from the Afghan assets was welcomed by the Islamic Emirate.
“We welcome this. It is a good step. It is obvious that the Afghans were not involved in the 9/11 attack. The assets which are frozen now will hopefully be released,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.
Faiq said that they have prepared a defense in coordination with some government and non-government organizations to maintain the Afghan assets.
“After several rounds of meetings, fortunately, today, the court and judge announced the final decision. The decision denied the mentioned claim and appeal of the 9/11 victims based on legal rights. The other side had been given a 14-day period of time to register their complaints in case they oppose this decision,” he said.
Netburn’s recommendation will be reviewed by US District Judge George Daniels in Manhattan, who also oversees the litigation and can decide whether to accept her recommendation, said Reuters.
Last February, in an executive order, US President Joe Biden ordered $3.5 billion of the frozen funds to be set aside “for the benefit of the Afghan people,” leaving victims to pursue the remainder in court.
“If a court was distributing the rights of a country in a way like this, I think it would be a travesty of international law,” said Asif Nang, an economist.
“We should keep our assets. The assets are not for expenses. They could be invested but must be maintained. Wherever they are released in Afghanistan or anywhere else, we must use a strict policy and must maintain them,” said Sayed Massoud, an economist.
