US: IEA’s treatment of Afghan women a major concern for Washington

The US State Department’s deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, said Monday that the actions of the Islamic Emirate against women are becoming a big concern for Washington.

“Let me say a couple of things. First and foremost, as it relates to Afghanistan and the Taliban (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan), its treatment of women and girls, its lack of human rights, basic human rights in everyday society, continues to be something of great concern to us and something that we have continued to make clear to the Taliban is unacceptable to us as it goes about its own desired journey for legitimacy,” said Patel.

He said America has implemented measures to prevent the IEA from accessing humanitarian aid.

But the Islamic Emirate accuses the US of abusing the term – women’s rights in Afghanistan – and says that the US uses this issue as a tool of pressure.

This comes after UNAMA said in a report Monday that the Islamic Emirate has arrested a significant number of women and girls, mainly from the Hazara region of Dasht-e-Barchi and some in Khair Khana, for not observing the hijab in accordance with Sharia.

The IEA in turn responded by slamming the report, and stating UNAMA was insulting the beliefs of the nation.

Patel told reporters that the United States has tried to prevent humanitarian aid and American taxpayers’ money from reaching the Islamic Emirate.

He said: “There are a number of steps and measures that are in place to ensure that U.S. humanitarian aid does not end up in the hands of the Taliban (Islamic Emirate).”

He added: “We work closely with trusted NGOs and other entities who we’ve had long-established relationships with, and there are measures and vetting and other processes in place to ensure that the hard-earned money from the American taxpayer does not end up in the hands of the Taliban.”

The United Nations has also said that the money donated by the world to this organization is in its accounts and the Islamic Emirate does not have access to it.