UK special envoy: Taliban should engage all Afghans in dialogue about their future

KABUL (TOLONews): Richard Lindsay, the UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan, in a statement following his visit to Kabul, called on the Taliban to engage all Afghan citizens in dialogue about the future of their country.

“The UK Government calls on the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans and to engage all Afghans in dialogue about the country’s future,” said Lindsay.

Lindsay, who was joined by the UK Chargé d’Affaires, Robert Dickson, met with Taliban acting ministers and officials from the interior, defence, health, and refugees and repatriation ministries, the statement said.

The talks covered a broad range of topics, including the situation of Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan, the Taliban’s general amnesty, human rights, the UN-led Doha process, and the future of UK-Afghanistan bilateral engagement, the statement said.

“We remain extremely concerned by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and the challenge to support Afghans returning from Iran and Pakistan,” said Lindsay. “I made clear the UK’s concerns about the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.”

In addition to meetings with Taliban officials, the Special Envoy also engaged with Afghan civil society groups, regional diplomatic representatives, and NGOs working to improve the lives of Afghans. “Afghanistan’s situation can only be improved when all parties engage constructively in the UN-led political process and uphold their international obligations,” he said.

The UK Government said Lindsay’s appointment reflects its continued commitment to Afghanistan and its people. His visit coincided with an event in London highlighting UK support for UNICEF’s First Foods for Afghanistan Initiative, which aims to reach 1.7 million children across all 34 provinces to prevent malnutrition.

“This is another example of the UK Government’s enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan,” the statement said.