Russia has become the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, sparking outrage from opposition figures and critics who argue that it will legitimize a regime known for its severe restrictions on women’s rights.
The decision comes almost four years after the Taliban swept into power and marks a major milestone for the group. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi hopes the move will serve as an example to other countries, but others have denounced it as “a new phase of positive relations” that ignores the regime’s human rights record.
The Afghan Women’s Political Participation Network described Russia’s recognition as legitimizing “a regime that is authoritarian, anti-women, and actively dismantling basic civil rights.” The Taliban government has previously claimed to respect women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law, but critics point to restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment.
Russia had previously been one of the few countries to maintain diplomatic relations with the Taliban. In 2022, they signed an international economic deal with the group, agreeing to supply oil, gas, and wheat to Afghanistan. The decision has been met with criticism from some former Afghan officials who say it is a continuation of Russia’s destructive strategies in the region.
The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Russia and Western countries over their approach to the Taliban government. Strict sanctions were imposed on Afghanistan in 2021 by the United Nations Security Council, most notably freezing approximately $9bn in assets. Germany has also expressed interest in working with Afghanistan to resume deportations of convicted Afghan criminals.
However, critics argue that such efforts will not bring peace and will only legitimize impunity. The UN Human Rights Office has reported continued human rights violations in Afghanistan, including public floggings and brutal attacks on former government officials.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c78n4wely9do