The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Canada and Australia reaffirmed their support for the Afghan people and condemned the Taliban's human rights record Monday, five years after the group seized control of Afghanistan.
In a joint statement, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand
and Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai said
Afghanistan was facing a worsening humanitarian, political and human rights
crisis, accusing the Taliban of institutionalizing “an ideological system of
extreme repression” against women and girls.
“Millions of Afghan girls remain barred from education while
women are denied opportunities to work, to move and speak freely and to live a
dignified life without fear and violence,” the Canadian officials said.
Canada also accused the Taliban of restricting journalists,
human rights defenders and civil society organizations and said ethnic and religious
minorities continued to face persecution.
“The Taliban have taken no steps toward establishing an
inclusive and representative government,” the statement said, adding that
terrorist organizations continued to operate in Afghanistan in what Canada described
as a permissive environment.
Canada said it would not support the normalization of
relations with the Taliban until there was “demonstrable progress” on human
rights, inclusive governance and fundamental freedoms.
Ottawa said it had continued to provide humanitarian
assistance to Afghanistan despite its opposition to the Taliban's policies.
Since 2021, Canada has provided more than $143 million for basic needs,
including health care and education, as well as more than $315 million in
life-saving humanitarian assistance covering food, nutrition, emergency health
care, water, sanitation and protection services, according to the statement.
Australia issued a separate statement marking five years
since the Taliban takeover and paying tribute to its military and civilian
personnel who served in Afghanistan.
More than 39,000 Australian Defence Force and civilian
personnel conducted or supported operations in Afghanistan over two decades,
the Australian government said. It also remembered the 41 Australian soldiers
killed during operations and those who died after returning home.
Canberra also recognized Afghan Locally Engaged Employees
who worked alongside Australian personnel, thousands of whom have since settled
in Australia with their families.
“The Taliban’s takeover in August 2021 marked a devastating
turning point for Afghanistan,” the Australian statement said.
Australia said the Taliban's return to power triggered one
of the largest humanitarian operations in its history, as Australian defense,
foreign affairs and home affairs officials, along with border personnel, worked
to evacuate Australian citizens, visa holders and Afghan employees during the
chaotic withdrawal.
