Muttaqi calls for cooperation and not criticism by foreign community

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has told the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Affairs of Afghanistan that the organization should work with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) instead of criticizing it.

He said the days of warlords, kidnappers and land grabbers violating people’s rights was over.

“Instead of criticizing each other, we should cooperate, publish the facts and spread any progress that has been made. The human rights situation in Afghanistan is such that warlords, kidnappers and land grabbers can no longer violate anyone’s rights,” read a statement issued by the foreign affairs ministry.

On the other hand, Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy prime minister, said in a separate meeting with Richard Bennett, the visiting UN special rapporteur on human rights affairs, that security has been achieved throughout Afghanistan, and the Islamic Emirate is committed to protecting the life, property and dignity of all citizens, especially women’s Sharia rights.

However, some experts have said that dialogue between UN officials and the Islamic Emirate can pave the way to solving many issues, especially around the provision of women’s rights and the formation of an inclusive government.

Bennett meanwhile said his visit was aimed at monitoring and evaluating the situation around girls’ education, women’s rights, media activity, security of Sikhs and other religious minorities, cooperation and consultation in improving the human rights situation in Afghanistan.