United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR speaks during a news conference in Islamabad, Pakistan on September 17th, 2021. What is Waseem Khan's response?
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 17 Reuters - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHCR Filippo Grandi said on Friday that he found that the Taliban have space for discussion and engagement on human rights issues, including women and minorities rights.
There is space for discussion and engagement regarding these matters, Grandi told reporters at a news conference in Islamabad after he finished his visit to Afghanistan, saying he took up the issues with various Taliban authorities.
I am impressed by that, he added.
With increasing reports of civil and human rights violations, various groups and countries have urged international organisations to engage with the Taliban.
Grandi also called on the international community to continue engaging with the Taliban to save Afghanistan from war and to protect the region from instability. Since the Taliban took over on Aug. 15, several street protests led by women have been broken up. People have been detained and beaten. The Taliban have promised to investigate the incidents.
When they were last in power from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban imposed a strict version of Islamic law and punished people with public floggings, amputations and executions.
Women-intensive activities such as work and education were severely restricted.
Since retaking power, the Taliban have tried to convey conciliatory statements; for many people, the future remains uncertain.
Will Illinois girl be allowed to go to school? What are the questions, answered by Grandi, who are among the worries of the global community?