(MENAFN- Khaama Press) In response to the recent bans on women's rights, Washington has imposed additional visa restrictions on some Taliban (IEA) members, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday.
Mr. Blinken in a statement said that the new visa restrictions on current and former members of the Taliban, and individuals believed to be responsible for, or repressing women and girls in Afghanistan through restrictive policies and violence, including the Taliban's decision to ban women from universities and from working with NGOs.
The visa restrictions may also include the immediate family members of the IEA authorities. This decision was taken following the IEA officials' disregard for respecting human rights and dignity, particularly the rights of Afghan women and girls.
“So far, the Taliban's actions have forced over one million school-aged Afghan girls and young women out of the classroom, with more women out of universities and countless Afghan women out of the workforce,” Blinken said.
Blinken further reiterated the IEA authorities should not expect the respect and support of the international community until they respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, including women and girls.
In response to the visa restrictions, the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned Washington's decision and said controversial issues should be solved through diplomacy and positive engagement, not through using pressure.
Meanwhile, some political experts believe that in order to expect the international community partners' support, the IEA officials need to pursue a rather softer policy, acceptable to all sides. Pushing to implement their strict ideologies will neither help the group gain internal legitimacy nor international recognition.
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