Taliban spokesman vows to honor women’s rights within Islamic law

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A Taliban spokesman pledges to honor women’s rights, but within the norms of Islamic law.

Zabihullah Mujahid, who has been a shadowy figure issuing statements on behalf of the militants for years, makes the comments at his first news conference.

His assertion that the Taliban would protect women’s rights comes after the Taliban’s earlier rule saw women’s lives and rights severely restricted.

Mujahid also says that the Taliban wants private media to “remain independent,” but stresses that journalists “should not work against national values.”

He also stresses that Afghanistan will not allow itself to harbor anyone targeting other nations, and promises that the insurgents will secure Afghanistan, after they took over the country following a blitz that lasted over a week.

Mujahid says the insurgents seek no revenge and insists that everyone has been pardoned by the Taliban, even if they worked with the former government or with foreign governments or forces.

“We assure you that nobody will go to their doors to ask why they helped,” he says.