Afghan MP Fawzia Koofi on Negotiations with the Taliban

Here in Kabul, there is a lot of talk about negotiations with the Taliban, as the new Peace Council has been formed. Most of what I hear from Afghans is sharp criticism over who sits on the Peace Council, including of the nine women who were appointed. Their ability to protect women's hard-fought for rights has been questioned by women leaders. Many people question the legitimacy of the process, and particularly, the credibility of those who have been appointed. The exact method of negotiations is unclear, and there is anxiety over a presumed lack of transparency.

The progressive member of parliament for Badakhshan, in north eastern Afghanistan, Fawzia Koofi, shares some of her reflections on talking to the Taliban, in the article below. She asks whether Karzai's government has the right to forgive the Taliban for their crimes, without the agreement of their victims: a very fair question, and one which nobody in the Afghan Government has yet bothered to answer.

Lauryn Oates is a Contributing Writer for The Propagandist.

Excerpt from Talking to Taliban or Sacrificing Women Rights? by Fawzia Koofi

In additions, we all know and agree that the war in Afghanistan is not an Afghan element. It is encouraged, promoted and supported by world intelligent agencies. Therefore the peace should work out through a regional approach with honesty and commitments of countries that are involved with terrorism.

There are other questions concerning Taliban past and recent crime histories. Taliban are guilty in many cases such as taken women for bounty in 1996-2001, massacre of innocent villagers in north and central parts of

the country, burning down villages and many more. Their crimes after 2001 are mostly targeting civilians in suicide bombing, kidnapping and execution of journalists and women in imaginary crimes. It’s not clear that the Taliban are willing to accept the charges for their crimes or President Karzai is about to forgive them without asking the agreement of victim families.

On the other hands, the people who represent our government in the council. Are seem to be very weak believer of democracy, women rights and an equal society.  It appears that they would sacrifice women rights if Taliban come to agreement or maybe changing the constitution for them.

This Peace Council is mostly like snapshot that Afghan officials want to demonstrate to the world to show that at least they are trying. Conflict resolution now in many countries is a profession; usually people who are involved in peace process should be trusted by people and by conflict sides, people who in the peace council are not trusted by people and by the conflict parties, as they themselves have been involved in so many human rights violation and conflicts in the past. Women representation is very little, only few women who always say yes to all policies that are being implemented by president Karzai. In addition, there is a lack of clarity on the issues this council will be able to achieve.

Fawzia Koofi

Human Right Activist and Afghan Parliament Member

Kabul, Afghanistan