Intel community stresses negotiated settlement to Afghan conflict

KABUL (Pajhwok): US, UK, Canada and some other NATO member states have asked the Taliban to end ongoing military offensive that thwarts effort to arrive at an negotiated solution to the conflict, according to a statement on Monday.

“We condemned continued targeted killings taking place throughout Afghanistan, the destruction of vital infrastructure and threats declarations and other actions against the gains Afghans have made over the last twenty years, gains which we have strongly supported,” a joint statement by Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the EU delegation, Finland, France, Germany, Italy,  Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, the office of the NATO Senior Civilian Representative, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United State said.

It added the Taliban’s offensive was in direct contradiction to their claim to support a negotiated settlement of the conflict and to the Doha Peace Process. It has result in loss of innocent Afghan lives, including through continued target killing, displacement of the civilian population, looting and burning of buildings, destruction of vital infrastructure, and damage to communication networks.

The indiscriminate detaining and killing of civilians and assaults of prisoner’s demonstrates an extremely concerning disregard for the rule of law.

In district occupied by the Taliban, inhabitants and observers also credibly report attempts to repress the human rights of women and girls and to shut down private and public media organizations in and attempt to conceal their human rights abuses and diminish freedom of expression.

On the behalf of our respective missions, we vehemently condemn these and any other actions that violate the human rights of Afghan citizens.

Afghans have made numerous gains over the past twenty years and want to continue building on their achievements in development, human rights, and free speech.

“We want to underscore that progress made over the past years can only be sustained if all parties work together.”

“We join the UNMA in calling on the Taliban and all parties to immediately end the violence, agree to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and engage fully in peace negotiations to end the suffering of the Afghan people and pave the way to an inclusive political settlement that benefits all Afghans and ensures that Afghanistan does not again serve as safe haven for terrorists.”

This Eid ul Adha the Taliban should lay down their weapons for good and show the world their commitment to the peace process.

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