Taliban say ‘Islamic system’ only way to Afghan peace, women’s rights

The Taliban says it  remains committed to peace talks but insist a “genuine Islamic system” in Afghanistan is the only way to end the war and ensure rights — including for women.

Talks between the militants and the Afghan government have been deadlocked for months and violence has surged across the country since May when the US military began its final withdrawal.

Mullah Baradar, the Taliban group’s top political leader, speaks before signing a peace agreement between Taliban and US officials in Doha, Qatar, February 29, 2020. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

Fears are also growing that if the Taliban returns to power it will reimpose its harsh version of Islamic law, under which girls were banned from school and women accused of crimes such as adultery were stoned to death in stadiums.

Despite the rise in violence, Taliban co-founder and deputy leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar says that the group is committed to the peace talks.

“Our very participation in the negotiations… indicates openly that we believe in resolving issues through understanding,” Baradar says in a statement. He says the only way to end the conflict in Afghanistan is to establish an Islamic system after the departure of all foreign forces.