Afghanistan: Taliban will honour women’s rights within Islamic law, spokesman says
- Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid added that the group would not enact revenge on its opponents and would ensure a secure Afghanistan
- Despite the group’s efforts to portray itself as more moderate, Afghans remain sceptical, with thousands seeking to flee the country
The Taliban vowed on Tuesday to respect women’s rights, forgive those who resisted them and ensure a secure Afghanistan as part of a publicity blitz aimed at convincing world powers and a fearful population that they have changed.
Following a lightning offensive across Afghanistan that saw many cities fall to the insurgents without a fight, the Taliban have sought to portray themselves as more moderate than when they imposed a brutal rule in the late 1990s. But many Afghans remain sceptical – and thousands raced to the airport on Monday, desperate to flee the country.
Older generations remember the Taliban’s ultraconservative Islamic views, which included severe restrictions on women as well as public stonings and amputations before they were ousted by the US-led invasion following the September 11 terror attacks.
As others have in recent days, spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid addressed these concerns head on in his first news conference on Tuesday.
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Women fear the worst for their freedoms as Taliban return to power in Afghanistan
Mujahid, who had been a shadowy figure for years, promised the Taliban would honour women’s rights, but within the norms of Islamic law, though he gave few details. He said the group wanted private media to “remain independent”, but stressed journalists “should not work against national values”.
And he promised the insurgents would secure Afghanistan – but seek no revenge against those who worked with the former government or with foreign governments or forces.