In the twenty years of Afghanistan’s war, previously and even now, the citizens of Afghanistan bear the same tearful and bombastic story: there are whistles of falling shells and rumble of gun fired. Everyday, Afghanis wake up with a new blast and so it was on Tuesday. An explosion was reported at the entrance of a military hospital in Kabul that took the lives of 3 and injured 17. Residents have reported two bomb blasts in the area of hospital in Kabul’s 10th district along with the sounds of gunfire.
The Taliban’s control over the country is once again a reminder of the brutal style of war that took place in Afghanistan in the 1990s. Back then, Zarmina, a woman shrouded in a blue burqa, a mother of five, including 1-year-old twins (a boy and girl) was accused of killing her abusive husband to protect her children. At Kabul Stadium, Zarmina was made to kneel in front of 30,000 spectators before being executed by the Taliban.
Anyone who thinks that the 21st century Taliban is a new version is delusional. Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid publicly stated, “Women will be afforded all rights within the limits of Islam [Shariah].” However, they have not explained what they mean by “the limits of Islam,” given their messages are not in sync with their actions on the ground. What form of education will be provided and will women’s rights be safeguarded as before? Will women be able to maintain their positions in media and government?
Even if the Taliban stick to their words, they would still fall short of their obligations under international human rights law. The Taliban’s way of justice translates to harsh punishments, including public executions and beheading of accused murderers and adulterers. It is very unlikely that they will accept any form of criticism, which is incompatible with the universal declaration of human rights.
Women and girls are living in constant fear and many are refusing to leave their homes. Women’s requests to remain anonymous in this article are an indication of the level of anxiety, uncertainty, and distrust of the new “authorities,” who took over by force. The Taliban’s objective of re-establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the very opposite of secularism, where everyone is able to exercise basic human rights regardless of their religion, gender, sexuality etc. Afghans, especially women, feel completely betrayed. Women are worried that restrictions based on Taliban’s interpretation of Shariah are going to return if and when they officially form a government.
The hope for peace amongst ordinary Afghans after the Taliban remerged has been crushed. The Taliban’s idea of consultative process or consensus-building to form a government would fall into two categories: believers and non-believers, with even Muslims who disagree with the Taliban put in the second category. Ethnic diversity would not be sufficiently represented in their movement. Decision making processes will become highly centralized, secretive, dictatorial, and inaccessible. Their sole claim to restoring law and justice is through violence.
It is high time that the international authorities and organizations recognize the heated atmosphere of Afghanistan and feel the devastation and inconvenience of the war that is felt in the air in it.
I urge the Talibans to fix the circumstances and address the day-to-day attacks; resolve civil conflicts because Afghanis lives matter.
MARIA NASEEM
Turbat
