End of the Third Doha Meeting: DiCarlo Describes Talks with the Taliban as "Frank and Useful"

On the evening of Monday (July 1), Ms. DiCarlo stated at a press conference that this was the first time the international community and the Taliban had the opportunity to engage in detailed discussions.

She mentioned that the discussions at this meeting were based on priorities established in the "Independent Assessment of Afghanistan," which was approved by the UN Security Council in November last year.

The UN Under-Secretary-General emphasized, "We are following a process step by step with a clear understanding of the outcomes and commitments of all parties, and we are still at the beginning of this process."

Rosemary DiCarlo expressed hope that the engagement with the Taliban would continue and that the outcomes of this meeting would contribute to building an open society in Afghanistan.

According to Ms. DiCarlo, on the first day of the Doha meeting, special representatives of various countries and the Taliban delegation presented their expectations. On the second day, they discussed the private sector and the fight against drugs.

The UN Under-Secretary-General mentioned that special representatives and she herself raised serious concerns about the Taliban's restrictions on Afghan women and girls. She emphasized, "Afghanistan cannot fully return to the international community economically and socially if it excludes half of its population from participation."

DiCarlo pointed out that the representatives of the participating countries made the removal of the ban on education and schooling for girls their top demand with the Taliban and expressed hope that these demands would be addressed promptly. She stated that the ban on education, schooling, and work for girls and women is equivalent to "delaying Afghanistan's development." The UN political deputy emphasized that Afghanistan cannot grow economically without the presence of women.

Since the Taliban's return to power, they have deprived women and girls of their basic rights, including the right to work and education. On the first day of the third Doha meeting, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid referred to women's rights in Afghanistan as internal matters of the group.

Ms. DiCarlo added that in this meeting, the special representatives also discussed the need for inclusive governance in Afghanistan and respect for the rights of minorities with the Taliban.

She stated, "There was broad agreement among the special representatives of the countries on continuing the Doha process, and the United Nations is committed to facilitating this process."

This UN official also clarified, "The Doha meeting process regarding Afghanistan under Taliban rule will continue."

In her press conference, the UN Deputy Secretary-General acknowledged and understood the widespread criticism of holding the third Doha meeting with the Taliban and excluding representatives of Afghan women and civil society.

She added, "For the United Nations, the meaningful participation of women in political and peace processes is a guiding principle." Despite the absence of Afghan women and civil society at the two-day talks with the Taliban, "their voices were heard by the Taliban."

She said, "We faced a difficult and perhaps impossible choice to hold the third Doha meeting. We have a mission to support this process, and we believe that bringing the de facto authorities (Taliban) and special representatives together for direct dialogue is the right approach."

Ms. DiCarlo added, "Unfortunately, the Taliban do not sit at the same table with Afghan civil society in this format, but they clearly heard the need for women's and civil society's participation in all areas of life."

The UN Deputy Secretary-General also addressed another criticism that the UN was accused of "normalizing" and "recognizing" the Taliban. She said that this meeting and engagements do not mean "normalizing" or "recognizing" the Taliban and expressed hope that the recent talks would help solve some of Afghanistan's problems.

In the press conference, she mentioned that she would have a meeting with some Afghan women and civil society members in Doha on Tuesday (July 2) and emphasized that some women and men from Kabul had been invited to Doha for this meeting, but she did not provide further details.

Ms. DiCarlo also respected the decision of those who boycotted the meeting.

Previously, Afghan women's and human rights activists Habiba Sarabi, Nabila Saleh, and Zubaida Akbar announced they were invited to a "side meeting" with the UN Deputy Secretary-General but would not participate. They emphasized that women should be present at the main UN meetings, not just side events.

Meanwhile, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, described the Taliban's participation in the third round of the Doha meeting as a "significant opportunity" for meaningful dialogue.

These statements were made as the two-day Doha meeting concluded last night, discussing topics of interest to the Taliban, while human rights, inclusive governance, and concerns about terrorism were not on the agenda. The UN held the third Doha meeting amid heavy criticism for the Taliban's presence and the exclusion of Afghan women and civil society representatives.