OIC Envoy Meets EU Official in Kabul to Discuss Humanitarian Situation and Women's Rights

Tariq Ali Bakheet, the special envoy of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for Afghanistan, met with Raffaella Iodice, the Chargée d'Affaires of the European Union's delegation, in Kabul on Sunday to discuss the humanitarian and economic situation in the country. The meeting also focused on the right to education and the need for female voices to be included in any dialogue and engagement in Afghanistan.

During the meeting, Iodice emphasized the importance of women's participation, stating, "Female voices need to be part of any dialogue and constructive engagement in Afghanistan." She appreciated the insights shared by female representatives from the Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission and the Women Development Organization who were present at the discussions.

The OIC delegation, led by Bakheet, also met with Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the political deputy of the Prime Minister, to discuss the organization's efforts to enable assistance and interaction between the Islamic Emirate and the international community. Bakheet stressed that Afghanistan's neighboring countries should directly express their concerns to the Islamic Emirate, while Kabir emphasized the Emirate's eagerness to develop cooperation, interaction, and stability in the region.

Why this matters: The meeting between the OIC and EU officials highlights the ongoing international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis and human rights concerns in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The emphasis on women's rights and education underscores the global community's push for inclusive dialogue and engagement in the country.

The OIC has been actively working to support the people of Afghanistan, creating a fund to collect aid and working to secure the country's relations with the world. The organization aims to help Afghanistan emerge from isolation and convince the international community to provide assistance. The OIC delegation also met with the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the acting minister of public health to discuss plans and projects to support the Afghan people.

The meeting comes amid growing concerns over the deterioration of women's rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control in August 2021. The US State Department's annual human rights report cited a significant decline in Afghan women's rights in 2023 due to Taliban edicts restricting access to education and employment. The country also faces an ongoing economic crisis, further exacerbated by recent floods that have affected over 1,500 families and damaged 93,000 hectares of agricultural land.

Key Takeaways

• OIC envoy met EU delegation in Kabul to discuss Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis.
• Emphasized need for female voices in any dialogue and engagement in Afghanistan.
• OIC delegation met Afghan PM's political deputy to discuss assistance and cooperation.
• OIC aims to help Afghanistan emerge from isolation and secure international aid.
• Concerns over deterioration of women's rights and ongoing economic crisis in Afghanistan.