SIGAR Review of Afghan Interim Government Performance
Last Updated on November 10, 2024 5:24 am
The US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has addressed issues such as governance, the Ministry of Vice and Virtue’s laws, international relations, and security in Afghanistan in its quarterly report.
Quoting the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, SIGAR reportes that over the past three years, officials of the Afghan interim government have engaged in nearly 1,400 diplomatic meetings with representatives from around 80 countries, with most of these meetings held with Chinese officials.
The report reads: “Despite the Taliban’s repressive rule, the group has continued to build relationships with countries in the region. According to a new report from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the Taliban have publicly announced 1,382 diplomatic meetings with at least 80 countries between August 2021 and February 2024, the majority of which occurred with regional counterparts. China has had the most diplomatic engagements with the Taliban at 215, followed by Turkey (194), Iran (169), Qatar (135), and Pakistan (118).”
The report attributes the uncertain future of Afghanistan to the interim government’s reluctance to adopt international human rights standards.
The report says that the new regulations by the Ministry of Vice and Virtue extend restrictions on human rights and fundamental freedoms in public life.
The report adds: “The Taliban’s new morality law expands on existing decrees to limit the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Afghans’ public and private lives, and grants broad authority to Taliban inspectors tasked with enforcing them. The law also formally revokes the few freedoms left to women and appears to directly reject recent enticements from the international community to advance engagement in return for respecting international human rights standards.”
Salim Paigir, a political analyst, commented on the SIGAR report: “The SIGAR report shows that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has been highly active and positive over the past three years. The more these meetings with regional and global countries increase, the more beneficial it is for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the Afghan people.”
Women’s rights activist Tafseer Siyahposh stated: “The international community has a responsibility to listen to Afghan women’s voices and take action. The Islamic Emirate government should also heed the demands of women.”
The Islamic Emirate has yet to comment on this report. Previously, however, the Ministry of Vice and Virtue dismissed criticisms from some countries and organizations, including UNAMA, regarding the new law, calling them unfounded.