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EU Parliament worried about ‘eruption of violence’ in Afghanistan
The EU has condemned targeted killings of journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society representatives and continuous violence in Afghanistan and called for an immediate ceasefire.
In a statement issued on Friday, the European Parliament called for a ceasefire and for parties to the conflict to continue the peace process in order to preserve the fundamental rights and principles in a future Afghanistan.
The statement comes days after three female media workers were assassinated in eastern Nangarhar province.
Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan Petras Austrevicius stated: “During the last months, we have seen an eruption of violence. It is very worrisome that this violence targets systematically those who contribute to an open and free society and who ensure the freedom of speech and media. Women are very often victims of these targeted attacks.”
“On behalf of the European Parliament, we condemn in the strongest terms the targeted assassinations of journalists, human rights defenders and civil society representatives,” Austrevicius said.
The European Parliament also called on the Afghan government to conduct thorough and transparent investigations and hold those responsible for the terrorist attacks accountable.
“The European Parliament urges all sides to stop the violence and put in place an immediate and permanent ceasefire. We call all sides to continue the peace negotiations,” he stated.
“The European Parliament insists that whatever the outcome of peace negotiations will be, a future constitution must guarantee the fundamental rights and principles of a free and open society, built upon the political, economic and social achievements of the people of Afghanistan,” the statement read.
Negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban have taken place since 12 September 2020 in Doha, the capital of Qatar to try to reach a peace agreement.
The EU stated that since then, the situation for civil society in the country has been rapidly deteriorating with at least fourteen targeted killings of journalists and human rights defenders by unidentified armed individuals or by explosive devices.
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IEA welcomes Turkey’s halting of trade with Israel
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has welcomed Turkey’s move to suspend trade with Israel over its war on Gaza.
Muttaqi expressed his appreciation during a meeting with Turkish Charge d’Affaires Cenk Unal in Kabul, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement released Sunday.
The meeting also focused on bilateral relations, recent positive developments in Afghanistan, the visits of political and economic delegations to Afghanistan from several countries.
FM Muttaqi underlined the commencing of trade with Turkey through the Lapis Lazuli route and opening of joint exhibitions in Turkey and Afghanistan.
According to the statement, the Turkish envoy said that they are happy with the recent developments in Afghanistan, and joined efforts need to be made for the further expansion of Turkey-Afghanistan relations.
He added that in the next few days, Turkish Airlines will commence its flights to Kabul.
The two sides reiterated promoting synergy to meet the expectations of the people of the two countries, given the historical backdrops and good bilateral relations, the statement said.
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IEA sets up delegation over Badakhshan protests
The Islamic Emirate has announced the appointment of a delegation headed by Chief of the Army Staff Fasihuddin Fitrah, amid protests in Badakhshan province over the killing of a local resident by security forces during poppy crackdown.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate, emphasized in a statement that the decree banning poppy cultivation extends to all regions without exception.
“Regrettably, there have been incidents where offenders attempted to attack the security forces involved in the fight against poppy cultivation, resulting in tragic events,” he said.
The delegation includes Shamsuddin Shariati, the head of overseeing and monitoring directives and commands, Mullah Abdul Haq, deputy minister of narcotics control, Mullah Rahmatullah Najib, deputy general director of intelligence, and Abdul Momin, chairman of the Badakhshan Ulema Council.
Darayem district of Badakhshan has seen protests against the Islamic Emirate in recent days.
The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that one of the local people was killed in a clash with the forces tasked to destroy poppy fields in the district.
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Terrorist threats to US interests from Afghanistan, Pakistan steadily rising: USIP
Following the concerns over terrorist threats from Afghanistan, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) says in a report that terrorist threats against US interests from Afghanistan and Pakistan are steadily rising.
The report stated that “Afghanistan presents growing space for terrorist groups compared to the period before the U.S. withdrawal.”
“ISIS-K [Daesh] presents a rising threat with reach beyond the immediate region, greater than during the pre-withdrawal period,” the report reads.
It added that “The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist group has also returned as a regional security threat.”
“The study group’s final report evaluated and put forth policy options to mitigate terrorist threats and safeguard U.S. interests in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while maintaining the current focus on strategic competition,” the report added.
“Unfortunately, the geography of Afghanistan and the relations of terrorist groups in the region have caused the countries of the region and the world to express concern about possible challenges. The Islamic Emirate should take measures to form an inclusive government so that the spirit of the regional fight against terrorism is practically strengthened and launched,” said a military expert.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate has called the report “baseless” and said that it has no relationship with al-Qaeda and that Daesh has been suppressed in Afghanistan.
IEA’s deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fetrat added that there is no terrorist group in Afghanistan and the government does not allow Afghan soil to be used against other countries.
“The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly said that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against the interests of countries. Once again, we assure the countries of the world and the region that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against their interests, nor is Afghanistan a threat to them,” Fetrat stressed.
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