The Afghan Taliban, who had skipped the last two UN meetings about Afghanistan, have agreed to join the third meeting on June 30. Their attendance is seen as a positive step towards global recognition and engagement with the Taliban-led government. However, tensions between the Afghan government and the Taliban remain, as the government has requested certain conditions for the meeting and the Taliban's demands to be included in the talks are met with resistance from the UN. Experts see the Taliban's participation as a gradual attempt to integrate into the international community.
Taliban Joins Third UN Meeting: A Step Towards Global Recognition
Background
The Taliban, a fundamentalist Islamic political and military group, emerged in Afghanistan in the early 1990s. After seizing power in 1996, the Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Sharia law, leading to severe restrictions on women's rights, education, and media freedom. The group was overthrown in 2001 by a US-led invasion.
In August 2021, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan after the US and its allies withdrew their troops. The international community has been hesitant to recognize the Taliban-led government, citing concerns over human rights, governance, and terrorism.
UN Meetings and Taliban Participation
The UN has held two meetings on Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, but the Taliban skipped both events. However, the group has agreed to attend the third meeting scheduled for June 30.
The Taliban's decision to participate is seen as a positive step towards global recognition and engagement with the Taliban-led government. It is also considered a sign that the Taliban is willing to negotiate with the international community.
Tensions and Demands
While the Taliban's participation is welcomed, tensions persist between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The government has requested certain conditions for the meeting, including the protection of human rights, especially for women and girls.
The Taliban, on the other hand, has demanded to be included as a full participant in the talks. This demand has met with resistance from the UN, which views the Taliban as illegitimate.
Experts' Perspectives
Experts believe that the Taliban's participation in the UN meeting is a gradual attempt by the group to integrate into the international community. However, they caution that the Taliban's true intentions are unclear and that it remains to be seen whether they are willing to make meaningful concessions.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why is the Taliban attending the UN meeting? To seek global recognition and engage with the international community.
2. What are the conditions requested by the Afghan government? Protection of human rights, especially for women and girls.
3. What are the Taliban's demands? To be included as a full participant in the talks.
4. How do experts view the Taliban's participation? As a gradual attempt to integrate into the international community.
5. Is the Taliban's participation a sign of progress? It is a positive step, but tensions and demands remain between the Afghan government and the Taliban.
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