Roya Rahmani, former Afghanistan Ambassador to the US, said the Taliban are talking about the rights of women but with a Sharia law caveat and that’s most worrisome.
India Today TV Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai spoke to Roya Rahmani, former Afghanistan Ambassador to the US, who said the Taliban are talking about the rights of women but with a Sharia law caveat and that’s most worrisome. Excerpts:
Q: Is the clock being turned back to when women were denied their basic freedom?
It’s something that remains to be seen. The Taliban are coming to a new Afghanistan where its people have had a lot of progress and women have enjoyed unprecedented rights and liberties over the past 20 years. They had so many achievements; they had the ability to join all kinds of activities and professions. But it’s also a different Afghanistan because the people have been exposed to the rest of the world; they’re connected to the rest of the world. At the same time, they’re hungry for justice.
Taliban have been known to rule through a fear factor. They have always used fear as an instrument to control society. This is again very prevalent. Women news anchors going out and interviewing people, even the Taliban, is a good sign. But how long is it going to remain? Is it only a PR stunt until the international forces disappear from Afghanistan?
Q: Do you believe it’s a PR stunt?
They had a taste of enjoying diplomatic platforms. Doha gave them the opportunity to see what it means to act like a government. Maybe that’s made them adopt a softer and moderate look. But we could soon see a relapse to what it was like 20 years ago. What worries me the most is that every time they talk about the rights of women, they do it with a caveat. And the caveat is: within the Sharia law. What has [of what the women have been doing] not been in accordance with Islam? All that is practised in many Muslim-majority countries. In fact, Afghanistan, with all the freedom that we had in the last 20 years, was rather conservative. Their continuous hinting at the caveat is worrisome for me.
Q: Do you feel betrayed today by the US?
I feel betrayed by the entire international community, including the leadership in my country. As Afghan women, we have been betrayed by all. We worked all blood, tears and sweat to be where we are for a promise that doesn’t hold. After these 20 years, you have been pushed back to a fate that they can decide for you. It’s at best being a second-class citizen.
Q: Would you consider going back to Afghanistan?
I would go back to my country when I know that I would be effective and there’s a positive role for me to play to contribute to its reconstruction. If that day is today or tomorrow, I’m ready to go back.
