Liberal Demokratic Party of Afghanistan
Hürderstrasse 4 - D-85551 Kirchheim - Germany - Fax 0049 (0) 89 - 329 21 73

info@afghanistan-jamhuriat.com

Total members: 117.524 (26 June 2017)

 

 

 

Women's rights are off-limits and should not be sacrificed in any peace negotiations with the Taliban!

The media has been reporting some of the Taliban's demands during the peace negotiations, including:

  • changes to women's rights
  • changes to the Afghan constitution
  • withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan
  • not allowing Afghan territory to be used as a base against other countries
  • removal of leading Taliban members from the blacklist
  • release of Taliban members from Afghanistan's government prisons

Our response to these demands is as follows:

a) Women's rights:

Afghan women enjoy their rights as women and equal rights with men. Women in such Islamic countries as Morocco, Turkey, Egypt, and others enjoy these rights. Neither we nor the Taliban can take away these rights. The late King Ghazi Amanullah Khan recognized women's rights and women's right to self-determination in Afghanistan around 100 years ago. Women should have the freedom of choice whether to wear the veil or headscarf or not. This is not an innovation. Even during the reigns of King Amanullah Khan, King Zahir Shah, and President Dawud Khan, women in Afghanistan were free to wear veils, headscarves, or not.

b) Changes to the Afghan constitution:

Of course, changes can be made to the constitution. These could include:

  • Harsh punishments for terrorists and traitors, The punishments could follow the example of those imposed in Saudi Arabia.
  • More severe punishments for growing opium and drug trafficking, especially now that some about 4 million people in Afghanistan are addicted to drugs. The punishments could follow the example of those imposed in Malaysia and Singapore.
  • More severe punishment for serious crimes, illegal weapons possession, violence against women, disregard of women's rights, and child molestation.
  • In addition, laws could also be tightened in some other areas.

c) Withdrawal of foreign troops:

The Taliban's demand for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan is not the Taliban's own ideology; instead, it is the Iranian government that is behind this demand. When we assume control of the government, we could negotiate with the US and the world community about the future purpose and duration of foreign troops in Afghanistan. We want to avoid a repetition of the terrible events of the 1990s, when the withdrawal of Soviet soldiers from Afghanistan was followed by the long-lasting devastation of civil war. The Taliban's claim that Afghanistan is a country under occupation is completely inaccurate. Afghanistan is a free and sovereign country. US and international soldiers came here after the terrorist attack of 11 September 2001, to help us fight terrorism.

d) Not allowing Afghan territory to be used as a base against other countries:

The Taliban's demand is also Iranian in origin. Afghanistan is a free and sovereign country. We are proud of our freedom. We will not be intimidated by Iran.

e) Removal of the leading Taliban members from the black list:

We could imagine removing the leading Taliban members from the blacklist if a peace agreement is signed. However, only later, after peace and stability are restored.

f) Release of Taliban members from Afghanistan's government prisons

When we take over the government, we may consider a gradual release of Taliban members currently in prison, but only after peace is restored. Those who elderly and critically ill would be the first to considered for release. We would then gradually consider the release of other prisoners. An immediate release of the prisoners before the restoration of peace cannot take place.

The ongoing peace negotiations are a golden opportunity for the Taliban to lay down their arms and make peace. This opportunity will not come again. We will enable the Taliban to open a single representative office in Kabul. However, the office must not be misused to organise terrorist activities. The funding of the aforementioned Taliban representative office may not be provided by foreign sources, but would only be financed by the Afghan state. The Taliban will not be allowed to have offices outside Afghanistan. In addition, we do not want Taliban members in the future Afghan government.

We respect the efforts of US Special Envoy Dr Zalmai Khalilzad and wish him every success in the peace negotiations with the Taliban. We hope that he will succeed, taking into account all the wishes of the Afghan people.

We also thank all countries involved in seeking peace in Afghanistan.

In recent days, Mr. Ashraf Ghani and former President Hamid Karzai have been talking about convening a major council regarding Taliban demands etc. This is a kind of trick, possibly an effort to enforce goals that might be incompatible with the constitution. We fear that unconstitutional decisions would be passed in the framework of such a council, including some at the expense of women's rights, etc. This is an old idea first proposed by former President Hamid Karzai, who was in office from 2001 to 2014. Hamid Karzai seems to have a more conservative approach to women's rights.During his term of office, women's rights in Afghanistan received little respect. Mr. Karzai has led the country to a crisis. During Ashraf Ghani's term, the situation has deteriorated even more. We reject the call for a so-called council and will not recognize any decisions it makes.

 

With best wishes, 

Hayattullah Maiwand

1.Chairman of the FDPA