UNHCR chief says 'space for discussion' with Taliban over human rights

Record ID: 1637377

  • Title: UNHCR chief says 'space for discussion' with Taliban over human rights
  • Date: 17th September 2021
  • Summary: ISLAMABAD , PAKISTAN (SEPTEMBER 17, 2021) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, FILIPPO GRANDI AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, FILIPPO GRANDI , SAYING: “Of course you all know there are some concerns , especially in the international community . How will the Taliban deal with the issue of rights? Especially will they allow women to work? Will they allow girls to go to school? How will they treat minorities? Like the Shi’ite minorities? Hazara minorities, for example. Because these were all very problematic issues , if you remember during the previous Taliban government. So, I don’t have an answer about all these things but I can say one thing that I have raised this matters in my meetings with various Taliban authorities , and that there is space for discussion and engagement about these matters and I am encouraged by that. I’m not trying to have a rosy picture , I know that the future is very uncertain , is full of uncertainties , is full of risks but I think it is important that we in the UN , the international community continues to engage with the Taliban in order to go forward and to save Afghanistan from disaster , and to save the region from instability.” JOURNALISTS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, FILIPPO GRANDI , SAYING: “And of course we do hope that this new administration will be, will be united, will not start having divisions among themselves . There’s been a lot of reports on the media -- I cannot confirm one way or the other, you have read them. So I think its important because if there is further.. if fighting starts again between the various leaders then we are back to the usual Afghan situation where there is a lot of conflict. And this again will be a factor of destabilization. “ JOURNALISTS DURING NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES, FILIPPO GRANDI , SAYING: “We have not seen big refugee movements, but of course if the state collapses we could see a lot of people seeking, trying to seek, refuge in other countries, because of the situation in Afghanistan. So its very, very important to try to prevent that situation from happening” END OF NEWS CONFERENCE
  • Embargoed: 1st October 2021 21:23
  • Keywords: Afghanistan Filipo Grandi Kabul UN human rights refugees taliban
  • Location: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
  • City: ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
  • Country: Afghanistan
  • Topics: Asia / Pacific,Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EV3ZMMF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said on Friday (September 17) he found that the Taliban have space for discussion and engagement on the issues of human, women and minorities rights.
    "There is space for discussion and engagement about these matters," Grandi told reporters in a news conference in Islamabad after he concluded his visit to Afghanistan, saying he took up the issues with various Taliban authorities.
    "I am encouraged by that," he added.
    With growing reports of human and civil rights violations, various groups and countries have urged the world to engage with the Taliban.
    Grandi also called on the international community to continue engaging with the Taliban "to save Afghanistan from disaster, and to save the region from instability."
    Since the Taliban took over on Aug. 15, several street protests led by women have been broken up. People have been detained and beaten. The Taliban have promised to investigate the incidents.
    When they were last in power from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban imposed a strict version of Islamic law and often punished people with public floggings, amputations and executions.
    Women's activities such as work and education were severely restricted.
    This time the Taliban have tried to present a conciliatory face.
    "Will they allow women to work? Will they allow girls to go to school? How will they treat minorities?" Grandi asked, saying the future is full of uncertainties.
    (Production: Salah Uddin, Sheree Sadar)
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