Envoy: ‘Russian leadership’ decides to delist Taliban as terrorist group

ISLAMABAD —

Russia reported Friday that a “principal decision” had already been made to remove Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban from Moscow’s list of terrorist organizations.

Zamir Kabulov, the Russian presidential envoy for the South Asian nation, was quoted by state-run TASS news agency as saying that the foreign ministry and national security agencies “are putting finishing legal touches” on the Taliban’s delisting in line with federal laws.

“A principal decision on this has already been made by the Russian leadership,” said Kabulov. “Hopefully, the final decision will be announced soon.”

The remarks were reported on the same day that Moscow hosted a conference of regional countries to discuss Afghanistan, with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presiding over the proceedings.

Lavrov later held bilateral talks with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, who led his delegation at Friday’s multilateral event in the Russian capital, organized under the Moscow Format platform.

“We firmly believe in the importance of maintaining a pragmatic dialogue with the current Afghan government,” Lavrov said in his inaugural speech to delegates from countries such as China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.

“Moscow will continue to develop political, trade, and economic ties with Kabul,” Lavrov pledged.

Russia launched the Moscow Format in 2017 and it has since become a regular platform for discussing challenges facing impoverished, war-torn Afghanistan.

Muttaqi, in his broadcast address to Friday’s gathering, welcomed Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan’s recent announcements that they will remove the Taliban from their lists of outlawed groups.

“We also appreciate the positive remarks [made] by the high-ranking officials of the Russian Federation in this regard and hope to see more effective steps soon,” said the Taliban chief diplomat.

Taliban FM to be ‘chief guest’ in Russia-hosted Afghanistan talks

Russia’s involvement in Afghanistan has been tumultuous. The Soviet army entered the country in 1979 to help a pro-Moscow government in Kabul but pulled out a decade later due to heavy losses inflicted by U.S.-backed Afghan insurgents, or mujahideen.

Moscow has developed close informal ties with the Taliban since they regained power in Afghanistan three years ago after the United States and NATO forces withdrew ending 20 years of war.

President Vladimir Putin stated in July that Russia considered the Taliban an ally in the fight against terrorism. The former Afghan insurgent group has been on the Russian list of terrorist organizations since 2003.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov praised the Taliban for combating narcotics in Afghanistan and fighting a regional Islamic State affiliate known as IS-Khorasan (IS-K).

“We support the Afghan authorities’ resolve to combat the terrorist threat,” he told the conference Friday.

Muttaqi called on all regional countries “to cooperate in preventing the recruitment of their citizens by ISIS and then send them to Afghanistan and other countries to carry out subversive operations.” He used an acronym for IS-K, which the United Nations describes as the most significant terrorist regional threat emanating from Afghan soil.

The Taliban foreign minister did not name any country, but Kabul formally alleged last week that the terrorist group is orchestrating attacks from bases in Pakistan, charges officials in Islamabad have refuted as unfounded.

No country has officially recognized the de facto Taliban government, although China and the United Arab Emirates have formally accepted Taliban-appointed ambassadors.

Washington remains opposed to any step toward easing sanctions or moving toward recognition of the Taliban as Afghanistan’s rightful government, saying Kabul must improve its human rights record to win international legitimacy and support.

“We will look for interest in any outcomes and deliverables from the upcoming Moscow Format meeting, but we do not participate,” Karen Decker, the head of the Doha-based U.S. diplomatic mission for Afghanistan, told reporters Thursday.

The U.S. has never attended a Moscow Format meeting because it is seen as a regional conversation, said Decker, who has also been tasked with overseeing Afghan diplomacy.

Envoy: ‘Russian leadership’ decides to delist Taliban as terrorist group
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240,000 Afghan Migrants Return from Iran in One Month

The report notes that this is the highest number of returnees from Iran to Afghanistan in a single month this year.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that nearly 240,000 Afghan migrants returned to their country from Iran in the past month.

According to the report, around 43% of these returnees were forcibly expelled by Iranian authorities, while the remaining migrants returned voluntarily to Afghanistan.

The report notes that this is the highest number of returnees from Iran to Afghanistan in a single month this year.

Meanwhile, some Afghan migrants in neighboring countries report facing serious challenges, including forced deportations and mistreatment. They are calling for these issues to be addressed.

Mohammad Reza, an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, told TOLOnews: “We are facing numerous challenges in Islamabad, including the lack of employment and educational opportunities.”

Akbar Soltani, an Afghan migrant in Iran, told TOLOnews: “For those who are undocumented, they say you came here illegally, so we will deport you. But those who have documents, such as cards and passports, their rights should be respected.”

Afghan migrants in neighboring countries, particularly in Iran and Pakistan, have long faced mistreatment and economic and social challenges—issues that have worsened in recent months, or perhaps even years, in these two countries.

Meanwhile, Reuters reported that 17 European countries, including Germany and France, have sent a letter to the European Commission, urging the acceleration of the process of deporting illegal migrants back to their countries.

Mohammad Baqir Ahmadi, a migrant rights activist, told TOLOnews: “The process of reviewing asylum applications should be faster and more efficient so that migrants are not left in an uncertain situation for long periods. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen such initiatives from UNHCR, at least not in Pakistan.”

Ali Reza Karimi, another migrant rights activist, said: “The situation for Afghan migrants in neighboring countries is becoming increasingly difficult.”

Previously, Iran’s interior minister told reporters that his country could no longer accommodate Afghan nationals and that the deportation of illegal migrants is one of Iran’s priorities.

240,000 Afghan Migrants Return from Iran in One Month
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Russia to Remove Islamic Emirate from Terrorist List: Kabulov

The sixth meeting of the Moscow Format was held yesterday (Friday) in Russia, with the participation of representatives from over ten countries.

Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, stated in a press conference that Russia will soon remove the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan from its list of terrorist organizations.

Speaking to reporters after the conclusion of the Moscow Format meeting, Kabulov said that the decision to remove the Islamic Emirate from this list has been made at a higher level.

Russia’s special representative for Afghanistan said: “A decision in principle on this issue has been taken by Russia’s top leadership, but this whole process must be done within the Russian legal framework. It requires meticulous work by lawyers, parliament and other agencies to ensure that this process is completed in the manner established by law.”

At the same time, the acting foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate, who was also present at the press conference, denied the existence of opposition groups to the Islamic Emirate or any groups posing threats to other countries from within Afghanistan.

According to Amir Khan Muttaqi, security in Afghanistan is stable, and the caretaker government has control in all sectors.

Amir Khan Muttaqi said: “The system is in full control across Afghanistan, and there are no opposition groups or any group posing threats to others. We urge that attention not be paid to disruptive circles and that no one listens to them.”

In addition, the acting foreign minister, during a meeting on the sidelines of the Moscow Format with Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, emphasized the importance of the Moscow Format for the caretaker government of Afghanistan. He expressed his desire for this format to become a mechanism for expanding relations and cooperation between Afghanistan and regional countries.

Hafiz Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson for the foreign ministry, stated: “The foreign minister said that the Moscow Format holds special importance for the government of Afghanistan and requested that this format be transformed into a mechanism for fostering cooperation between Afghanistan and regional countries.”

The sixth meeting of the Moscow Format was held yesterday (Friday) in Russia, with the participation of representatives from over ten countries.

The joint statement from this meeting emphasized bilateral and multilateral cooperation against terrorism, economic collaboration with Afghanistan, support for Afghanistan as an independent country, the protection of women’s and ethnic groups’ rights, and the formation of an inclusive government.

Russia to Remove Islamic Emirate from Terrorist List: Kabulov
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Gender, nationality ‘sufficient’ to grant Afghan women asylum: Top EU court

Al Jazeera

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that gender and nationality alone are “sufficient” for a country to grant asylum to Afghan women.

The ECJ ruled on Friday that discriminatory measures adopted by the Taliban towards women “constitute acts of persecution” justifying the recognition of refugee status.

“The competent authorities of the member states are entitled to consider that it is unnecessary to establish that there is a risk that the applicant will actually and specifically be subject to acts of persecution if she returns to her country of origin,” the ECJ ruled.

So far, Sweden, Finland and Denmark have already granted refugee status to all Afghan women seeking asylum.

The ruling comes after Austria refused to recognise the refugee status of two Afghan women after they applied for asylum in 2015 and 2020.

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The two women challenged the refusal before the Austrian Supreme Administrative Court, which then asked for a ruling by the ECJ.

 

According to a court document, one of the women, identified as AH, first fled Afghanistan with her mother to Iran at the age of 13 or 14 after her drug-addicted father tried to sell her to fund his addiction.

The other woman, referred to as FN and born in 2007, has never lived in Afghanistan because her family had been living in Iran without residency permits, so her family had no right to work, and she could not receive an education.

The ECJ case document said FN told the court that if she is deported to Afghanistan, as a woman, “she would be at risk of abduction, would be unable to attend school and might be unable to support herself”.

Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, it has rolled back women’s rights, including limiting schooling, work and general independence.

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In August, the Taliban set a long list of rules governing morality, which includes mandatory dress codes, the requirement for women to have a male guardian, and the segregation of men and women in public places.

The United Nations human rights chief has called for the Taliban to repeal the “egregious” laws, which he said were an attempt to turn women into “faceless, voiceless shadows”.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES
Gender, nationality ‘sufficient’ to grant Afghan women asylum: Top EU court
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UN Donor’s Conference on Afghanistan kicks off in Dubai

The donors’ conference for Afghanistan began on Thursday, October 3rd, hosted by the United Nations in Dubai.

At this conference, both domestic and international organizations, along with political representatives from various countries, are discussing aid to Afghanistan, which is currently under Taliban control and facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

Participants discussed ways to provide aid to Afghanistan, exchanging views on the best approaches and reaffirming their commitment to continue offering humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan.

They reviewed monitoring mechanisms and emphasized the importance of transparency in delivering aid to ensure it reaches those in need.

Participants also expressed that Afghanistan remains at the center of the strategies of donor organizations and countries.

However, they stressed that “it is the responsibility of all stakeholders to create conditions where Afghans can sustain themselves through employment, rather than relying continuously on international aid.”

The conference also addressed the challenges posed by the Taliban’s new restrictions under the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law. This law has imposed severe limitations, particularly against women. Under this law, women cannot leave their homes without a male guardian, and their voices are considered indecent in public spaces.

According to a United Nations report, Afghanistan is facing one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world. At least 23 million people in the country require humanitarian assistance. However, there are concerns about the reduction of these aid efforts.

Some countries and international organizations have also expressed concerns that the Taliban may misuse humanitarian aid for other purposes.

Karen Decker, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires for Afghanistan, who attended the donors’ conference, told the media that since the fall of the Afghan Republic, the United States has provided $2.3 billion in humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.

Ms. Decker also mentioned that the results of the work conducted by two economic and narcotics groups from the “Doha 3” discussions would soon be reviewed by the United Nations, and the next major Doha meeting will also take place.

The donors’ conference highlights both the urgency and complexity of providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. While there is a commitment to helping millions of Afghans in need, concerns about transparency and the Taliban’s restrictions, especially on women’s rights, continue to challenge the international community’s efforts.

The call for a long-term solution emphasizes that Afghanistan’s future should not rely solely on aid. Sustainable employment and self-sufficiency must be at the core of any strategy to help the Afghanistan’s people build a better future.

UN Donor’s Conference on Afghanistan kicks off in Dubai
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No Consensus yet on Taliban’s participation in BRICS Summit: Russia

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – MARCH 25, 2022: Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Rudenko is seen during a meeting between Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov and Abkhazia’s President Bzhania at the Reception House of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has stated that there is no consensus on whether the Taliban officials will participate in the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan.

According to the TASS news agency, Rudenko explained to reporters that invitations to the summit are made based on the consensus of BRICS members.

He also mentioned that the Taliban’s unrecognized status poses a challenge, which will be considered when deciding its participation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in  Kabul has officially requested to attend the BRICS summit in Kazan.

The summit will begin on October 22 and last until October 24, 2024.

Russia’s state news agency, RIA Novosti, reported that the Taliban sent a letter to Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, requesting participation in the BRICS summit in Kazan. Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister, expressed interest in attending the summit.

BRICS members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. This year, the group expanded to include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, and Ethiopia.

Despite being on Russia’s blacklist, the Taliban maintain diplomatic relations with Moscow. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign minister, is in Moscow for an Afghanistan meeting on October 4 under the Moscow Format.

The Taliban’s diplomatic engagement with Russia highlights their efforts to gain international recognition despite being officially unrecognized by the global community.

No Consensus yet on Taliban’s participation in BRICS Summit: Russia
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Mawlawi Abdul Kabir: Islamic Emirate Will Not Bow to Foreign Demands

Hanafi said that some foreign countries, by deceiving the youth abroad, are trying to stir up regional and ethnic divisions.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, emphasized national unity in a meeting with local officials and elders of Panjshir.

Kabir also said that the Islamic Emirate will not bow to the demands of foreigners.

The deputy prime minister said that there is no discrimination in implementing developmental projects between provinces, and development projects will be equally distributed across all provinces.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir said: “We must not become the slaves of anyone. We only serve Allah, the Almighty, and adhere only to Islam. We should not accept the demands of foreigners. We must not be swayed by factional, regional, or ethnic propaganda.”

Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the acting Minister of Vice and Virtue, also spoke at the meeting, saying that the Islamic Emirate is obliged to pay attention to the legitimate demands of the people.

Hanafi said that some foreign countries, by deceiving the youth abroad, are trying to stir up regional and ethnic divisions.

The acting Minister of Vice and Virtue said: “In France and other places in Europe, they are trying to destroy our country from there. They are instigating sectarianism and group divisions. They are deceiving and exploiting our youth.”

Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Emirate, said: “The Ministry of Defense has spent most of its construction budget in Panjshir to build outposts and centers so that the Mujahideen are removed from the people and their homes.”

The Governor of Panjshir and several local representatives also shared their challenges and demands with officials of the Islamic Emirate.

Mohammad Agha Hakim, the Governor of Panjshir, said: “The leadership of the province and all the people of Panjshir request that the province be included in the second category as an exception.”

“The roads in the districts of Paryan and Dara are completely destroyed. We hope these roads are cleared so people can travel freely,” said Masihullah Mosadeq, a religious scholar.

This comes as Iran’s Ambassador and Special Representative to Afghanistan claimed in an interview with an Iranian media outlet yesterday that ethnic, linguistic, and religious minorities in Afghanistan are facing discrimination.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir: Islamic Emirate Will Not Bow to Foreign Demands
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Top US General Milley calls Afghanistan withdrawal a ‘Strategic Failure’

The former Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army acknowledged the mistakes made during the withdrawal from Afghanistan, admitting that political and strategic failures marked it.

Mark Milley stated that the 20 years spent by the U.S. and its allies in Afghanistan were a valuable opportunity, but in the end, the Taliban took control of the country.

On Wednesday, during a session at Princeton College, General Milley commented on the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan: “In my opinion, those 20 years were long and significant, but ultimately, the Taliban occupied the capital and seized the entire country.”

He acknowledged the political and strategic shortcomings during the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, stating, “Our experiences in Afghanistan offer many lessons.” Milley added that it will take years for historians to fully extract and analyze these lessons and other critical insights.

He pointed out flaws in the Doha agreement and noted that the U.S. forces’ lack of proficiency in local languages was another significant weakness, which the Taliban exploited in rural areas. He said, “The U.S. didn’t fully understand what was happening on the ground.”

The withdrawal from Afghanistan has left lasting consequences on U.S. foreign policy, raising debates about the future of American military interventions. The U.S. is now reflecting on its broader strategy to avoid repeating similar failures in other conflict zones.

Top US General Milley calls Afghanistan withdrawal a ‘Strategic Failure’
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Sixth Moscow Format Consultative Meeting to Begin Friday

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the main part of the meeting will be held behind closed doors.

The sixth Moscow Format consultative meeting will take place tomorrow (Friday, October 3) in Moscow with the participation of representatives from ten neighboring and regional countries, including China, Iran, and Pakistan.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the main part of the meeting will be held behind closed doors, with the focus on strengthening the “national reconciliation” process in Afghanistan, enhancing regional countries’ engagement with the interim government, and combating terrorism and drug trafficking.

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said about the meeting: “The meeting’s main proceedings, to be held behind closed doors, will be opened with a welcome address by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The discussions at the Moscow Format Consultations will focus primarily on advancing the Afghan national reconciliation process and enhancing practical cooperation between regional states and Kabul in political, economic, counter-terrorism, and anti-drug efforts.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson also added that the Russian Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Emirate, on the sidelines of the meeting to discuss key issues, including bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Kabul, and a joint statement will be issued at the conclusion of the meeting.

Meanwhile, Karen Decker, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Mission to Afghanistan, who has taken on the responsibility of leading US foreign policy towards Afghanistan, told reporters in a meeting that the US representative will not participate in the Moscow Format meeting.

Zakharova added: “On the sidelines of the event, Sergey Lavrov will hold a meeting with Amir Muttaqi to address key issues of bilateral cooperation between Moscow and Kabul.”

Hamdullah Fetrat, Deputy Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, also expressed optimism about the holding of the Moscow Format meeting, calling it a good opportunity for expanding the Islamic Emirate’s relations with neighboring and regional countries.

Fetrat further added about the meeting: “We consider this [Moscow Format meeting] a positive development. Once again, we emphasize that the countries of the region play a good role in supporting Afghanistan, and in this way, economic prosperity and stability in the region can be ensured.”

“There are concerns we have with some of the countries participating in this meeting, and we should discuss them, especially sharing our security concerns with them,” Hewad Zazi, a political analyst, told TOLOnews.

It is worth noting that the participants in the final declaration of the fifth Moscow Format Consultative Meeting stressed the formation of an inclusive government, the fight against terrorist groups, and respect for human rights, especially women’s right to work and education in Afghanistan.

Sixth Moscow Format Consultative Meeting to Begin Friday
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Thomas West steps down as US envoy for Afghanistan

Thomas West, announcing his resignation as Washington’s special envoy for Afghanistan, stated that the U.S. remains committed to supporting Afghanistan and its people. West mentioned that the “resilience and courage” of Afghans have given him hope for the country’s future.

A few hours earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that West had been appointed as the acting head of the Office of Sanctions Coordination at the U.S. State Department.

Karen Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan, Rina Amiri, the U.S. envoy for Afghanistan’s women, and another official will now take over West’s duties.

It remains unclear whether the U.S. government will appoint a new special envoy to replace West or if the politically driven role will be eliminated.

West wrote that he “led U.S. diplomacy toward Afghanistan during a very challenging period” and reflected positively on his accomplishments over the past three years.

West has faced many critics, primarily due to his approach toward the Taliban. He was known for distancing himself from anti-Taliban groups and maintaining a softer tone in his dealings with the Taliban.

West stated that the “resilience and courage of countless Afghan journalists and human rights activists” have been a source of hope for him.

During his tenure, West made several trips to neighboring countries but was unsuccessful in convincing those nations to use their influence to change the Taliban’s policies and behavior.

Thomas West’s departure leaves questions about the future of U.S. diplomacy towards Afghanistan. The ongoing challenges in engaging with the Taliban and securing meaningful change in the region highlight the difficulties in shaping Afghanistan’s political landscape post-West.

Whether a new envoy will be appointed remains to be seen, but the need for continued support for Afghanistan’s civil society and human rights remains paramount.

Thomas West steps down as US envoy for Afghanistan
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