The travel exemption of 13 afghan Taliban officials to travel abroad expired on Friday, which was a united nations waiver allowed them.
A divide has been seen between china and Russia which have called for an extension of this waiver, while the united states and western nations proposed a reduced list of Taliban officials to travel to protest against the Taliban’s backstep of women’s rights failing to maintain an inclusive government.
According to the 2011 UN security council resolution, 135 Taliban officials are under these sanctions which also include asset freezes and travel bans.
Out of 135, 13 of the officials were granted exemption from the travel ban, which allowed them to meet officials from other countries and engage in peace talks.
Two Taliban education ministers were removed from the exemption list over the curtailment of women’s rights, by 15 members of the un security council’s Afghanistan sanctions committee.
The committee also renewed the exemption for other officials until august 19 including one more month if the members agreed.
On the other hand, the US on Thursday proposed redisposing the travel ban on seven of the 13 Taliban officials, but with a limit that they would be allowed to travel only to Qatar, where US-Taliban talks took place.
On the contrary
Both China and Russia that these travel exemptions are important more than ever.
Both these countries propose that all the 13 officials should be granted travel exemptions for 90 days, only to travel to Russia, China, Qatar, and “regional clappers”.
UK, France, and Ireland opposed Russia and china’s proposal because the Taliban failed to meet its commitments to women and the formation of an inclusive government.
A spokesperson for the Chinese mission at the UN called the western position “counterproductive” to human rights.
Talks with the Taliban are necessary
Former Afghan ambassador to France and Canada, Omar Samad, said that engagement with the Taliban Is needed to help the people of afghan.
On Friday afternoon, diplomats proposed that the US should revise its proposal and should not impose the travel within definite boundaries. This proposal is supported by Russia and china.
This matter is not just about the official ban but of the afghan women who have been denied their right to education and choice.
