The Taliban link said Sunday they remaincommitted to peace talks but insisted that a “genuine Islamic systemlink” in Afghanistan was the onlyway to end the war and ensure rights — including for women.
Talks between the militants and the Afghan government have been deadlockedfor months and violence has surged across the country since May when the USmilitary began its final withdrawal.
Fears are also growing that if the Talibanlink return to power, they will reimposetheir harsh version of Islamic law, under which girls were banned fromschool and women accused of crimes such as adultery were stoned to death instadiums.
Despite the rise in violence, Talibanlink co-founderand deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar said Sunday that the group wascommitted to the peace talks.
“Our very participation in the negotiations… indicates openly that webelieve in resolving issues through (mutual) understanding,” Baradar saidin a statement.
He said the only way to end the conflict in Afghanistan was toestablish an Islamicsystem link after the departureof all foreign forces.
“A genuine Islamic system link isthe best mean for solution of all issues of the Afghans,” Baradar said.
His statement acknowledged the fears in Afghanistan and abroad about thekind of system that would emerge — and its impact on women — saying thatfell “within the ambit of the intra-Afghan negotiations”.
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Baradar also assured that the rights of all Afghans including women will beaccommodated in that system according to “the glorious religion of Islam”and Afghan traditions.
But many fear that the Taliban linkinterpretation of rights will clash with the changes that have happened inAfghan society since 2001.
In May, a US intelligence report said the gains made over the past twodecades on women’s rights would be rolled back if the militants returned topower.
As the US military presses ahead to meet the September 11 deadline tocomplete the troop withdrawal, the Talibanlink have fought daily battles withgovernment forces and claim to have captured 40 districts.
The growing fear and uncertainty about the future has forced many Afghansto try and leave, including thousands of men and women who fear reprisalsbecause they worked with foreign forces.
Barardar called on Afghan youths to not leave the country, and alsostressed that the Taliban link willensure that minorities, humanitarian organisations and diplomats hadnothing to fear. -APP/AFP
