Without unilateral recognition: G7 calls on Taliban to show restraint, respect human rights

Mustafa Kamel

During a virtual conference held on Tuesday, August 24 to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan, and with enforceable decisions and without unilateral recognition, G7 leaders unanimously agreed on the need for the Taliban to commit to respecting human rights, calling for calm and restraint. They called on the movement to meet these demands as soon as possible because the Afghan people deserve to live in dignity, in addition to Afghanistan not returning as a safe haven for terrorists and a source of terrorist attacks on other countries.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden, after his participation in the G7 meeting, made his decision to adhere to ending the US military mission in Afghanistan at the end of August, provided that the movement continues its cooperation to facilitate the departure of those wishing to evacuate via Kabul Airport.

Enforceable obligations

The closing statement of the G7 conference stressed that any future government in Afghanistan must uphold its country’s international commitments on human rights, the rule of law and the fight against terrorism.

The G7, which consists of the United States, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, stressed that the movement will be held accountable for its actions, not its words, in addition to combating terrorism and protecting human rights, especially the rights of women, children and minorities, explaining that the Afghan people deserve a life with dignity, security and enjoyment of the achievements of the past two decades.

The G7 announced that it will continue to combat terrorism wherever it is with determination and solidarity, noting that the legitimacy of any future government in Afghanistan depends on the approach it has adopted from now to respect its international duties and obligations.

While the G7 called on the movement to implement the conditions, it also announced its refusal to unilaterally recognize the Taliban regime without coordination with the Security Council, calling at the same time to work in good faith to form an inclusive and representative government that includes a large participation of women and minorities.

Safe passage for Afghans wishing to leave

In turn, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose country currently holds the presidency of the G7, announced that it is asking the Taliban to ensure a safe passage for Afghans who want to leave after August 31. He declared that the Taliban will be judged by its actions and not its words, stressing that this request is the first condition put forward to the Taliban.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Berlin cannot continue the evacuations from Afghanistan without the United States.

Ahead of the virtual conference to discuss the crisis in Afghanistan, the G7 had set five conditions for recognizing the Taliban, stressing that the movement must abide by the conditions to obtain global recognition.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said during an interview with the French news network BFMTV that the Afghan movement is making many efforts in an attempt to obtain international recognition, but it is not enough to issue statements read here and there regarding respect for women’s rights, but rather actions are required.

The five conditions that the Taliban must abide by in order to be recognized internationally include that the movement allow the exit of Afghans who want to leave the country, and they must prevent their country from becoming a terrorist haven, which they must prove very concretely. The Taliban must also allow humanitarian access to Afghan soil, and they must respect rights, especially women’s rights.

Holding to the deadline

Regarding the evacuation of US forces from Afghanistan, the White House said that President Biden informed the G7 on August 24 that Washington’s mission in Afghanistan is in the process of being completed on August 31, provided that the Taliban continue their cooperation to facilitate the arrival of those who wish to evacuate to the capital’s airport. Biden asked the Pentagon to develop contingency plans if necessary to postpone the withdrawal, according to White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki.

On the other hand, the American magazine Foreign Policy revealed in a report, citing well-informed sources, that Taliban leaders will form a governing council consisting of 12 people, pointing out that the movement will appoint ministers and acting officials for a number of ministries and institutions.

Foreign Policy confirmed that the most prominent leaders in the expected council are Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob (son of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar), as well as Khalil Haqqani, to whom the military strategy that led to the Taliban’s control of the country is attributed. The magazine pointed out that both Baradar and Yaqoob are working to include Ahmad Massoud, who opposes the Taliban, to the governing council. Massoud is the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was assassinated by al-Qaeda in 2001.