Brutality and perseverence

CFUW members, representatives of Canadian Woman for Women in Afghanistan, scholars and human rights advocates met the Ambassador to Canada from Afghanistan, to hear about the worsening situation in his country. I was asked to take notes.

Since the withdrawal of military support from the USA and its allies, the Taliban has been waging a massive campaign of terror. On taking control of rural districts, the Taliban imposes severe restrictions on girls’ and women’s access to education and health services. Brutal punishments are meted out by arbitrary courts under the terrorists’ distorted interpretation of Sharia Law. Farmers’ harvests and homes are burned and villages forcibly evacuated, depriving people of food and shelter. It is estimated that 13 million people have thus become Internally Displaced Persons with no access to basic services. Schools, hospitals and administrative buildings have been destroyed, as well as roads, bridges, even gardens. Thousands of the Afghan Security Forces (the ANDSF) have been killed or injured. 

What is particularly disturbing is the coordinated engagement of foreign terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda. Training camps in Pakistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan mobilize thousands of fighters for the Taliban; their gains are publicly celebrated in parts of those countries. It is time to apply the mechanisms of international law, said His Excellency, the Ambassador. By means of sanctions, Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries must be persuaded to desist from this support; otherwise peace will be impossible.

In the peace talks sporadically taking place in Doha (capital of Qatar), the Taliban delegation shows a disquieting lack of commitment, relentlessly pursuing its vision of a restored "Islamic Emirate". The Afghan government on the other hand hopes for a new chapter of international partnership, with a common narrative to counter the threat to regional and international security and stability. 

Painful though the news is, the Ambassador urged us to counter the narrative of doom with optimistic statements. In recent days, more than 20 Taliban-controlled districts have been recaptured. It is unlikely the Taliban could capture cities like Kabul, now that Afghan citizens are voluntarily fighting alongside the ANDSF. Schools and universities in government-controlled areas are reopening after the COVID lockdowns.

Many of the "University Women Helping Afghan Women" from our Club have been following Afghanistan's progress and contributing to scholarships for Afghan girls for a decade. The growing number of prominent, courageous and capable women in Afghanistan is a positive sign. The Ambassador expressed deep gratitude for our sustained support.