Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban), has welcomed the stance of Qatar and Turkey on Afghanistan, especially for expressing support for peace and stability in the country, according to Afghan media reports.
Qatar and Turkey issued a joint communique following the 10th session of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee, which was held under the co-chairmanship of the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on November 14, 2024. The communique stated that the two countries "reaffirmed their commitment to promoting stability in Afghanistan. They emphasized the importance of respecting fundamental rights and inclusive governance and also highlighted the need for coordinated engagement with Afghanistan, as well as the continuation of humanitarian aid and sustainable development to its people, as outlined by the Independent Assessment."[1]
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani
The Taliban deputy spokesman did not comment on the communique's mention of respecting fundamental rights and inclusive governance, especially since the Taliban regime has banned girls and women from schools, colleges, streets, businesses, and workplaces. But in an indirect comment on the issue, Hamdullah Fitrat stressed the Taliban's enforcement of religious laws, stating: "We commend the stance of Qatar and Turkey for emphasizing peace and stability in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's stability benefits all countries. The Islamic Emirate ensures the shari'a-based rights of all Afghan citizens and, as a responsible government, strives for the security, economy, and well-being of its citizens."[2]
According to a Dari-language report carried by Watan 24 news agency, Hamdullah Fitrat said that the joint communique was "a sign of the international community's attention to Afghanistan and its support for the country's efforts to create a safe and stable country."[3] The Taliban deputy spokesman added: "The Islamic Emirate, based on its balanced policy, seeks to develop relations with all countries and believes that stability and security in Afghanistan will benefit all countries in the region and the world."[4]
Hamdullah Fitrat, the Afghan Taliban deputy spokesman
The Taliban regime's praise of Turkey and Qatar is also seen as a rejection of their demands for an inclusive government and respect for human rights. Kabul Now, an Afghan website, made the following observations:
"Afghanistan under Taliban rule remains largely isolated from the international community, as no country has yet recognized the regime. This isolation is mainly driven by concerns over the formation of an inclusive government, the protection of human rights – especially those of women and girls – and the severing of ties with terrorist groups.
"Despite the Taliban's desire for greater engagement with the region and the wider world, the fundamentalist regime has maintained its hardline policies, denying women and girls access to education and employment while maintaining ties with terrorist groups.
"Over the past three years, the international community, including the U.S., Russia, China, Islamic countries, and neighboring nations, has repeatedly urged the ruling regime to respect and uphold human rights and establish a government that represents all ethnic groups and political parties in the country. The Taliban authorities, however, have consistently rejected such calls from the international community, accusing them of interfering in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. The Taliban claims that their government is inclusive and that they address human rights, including women’s rights, based on their interpretation of Islamic law."[5]
