On Monday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who apparently believes that words alone will make violent extremist groups abandon their ways, complained about the Taliban, whining to reporters, “I am particularly alarmed to see promises made to Afghan women and girls by the Taliban being broken. I strongly appeal to the Taliban to keep their promises to women and girls and fulfill their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law.”
“Broken promises lead to broken dreams for the women and girls of Afghanistan,” Guterres continued, “Eighty percent of Afghanistan’s economy is informal, with a preponderant role of women. Without them, there is no way the Afghan economy and society will recover.”
One solution Guterres proposed: Give the Taliban money. He said, “We need to find ways to make the economy breathe again. This can be done without violating international laws or compromising principles. I urge the world to take action and inject liquidity into the Afghan economy to avoid collapse.”
The BBC reported last week:
International rights groups including Amnesty and Human Rights watch have reported extra-judicial killings and abductions, despite an amnesty declared by the Taliban for government workers. Hundreds of women judges went into hiding as the group seized power in August. Some scrambled to leave the country during the US-led evacuation in August, others were left to face their fate in Afghanistan.
The New York Times added: “Though some Taliban officials continue to say that conditions will improve, women are still being kept from workplaces and schools. Each week seems to bring a new report of restrictions.”
One Afghan woman told KION:
This horrible, horrifying condition was unexpected. It’s like everything went upside down. Jobs are closed for females and coping in such conditions is never easy. And I can say that we, who are currently living in Afghanistan, are the survivors. And everyone knows that it’s really hard to cope mentally. It’s like we are living in our own homeland as prisoners.
After higher studies and all that hard work, we have reached a point where we can contribute towards our country. But the Taliban has pushed us back and changed everything; sitting home and doing household chores. That is always the perspective of a male-dominant, patriarchal society and Afghanistan is one now. And, we, the females, who have always faced challenges, are just homebodies.
Critics blasted Guterres for his Pollyannish approach. Political pundit Stephen Miller: “Samantha Power tried this with a Russia at the UN. ‘Have you no shame’ No, you fucking idiot. They don’t, and they just laugh in your face.”
Samantha Power tried this with a Russia at the UN. "Have you no shame" No, you fucking idiot. They don't, and they just laugh in your face.
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) October 11, 2021
Political scientist Marcel Dirsus: “Who could have possibly seen this coming? I for one definitely thought the Taliban would focus on inclusivity and gender equality to turn Afghanistan into a haven for human rights.”
Who could have possibly seen this coming? I for one definitely thought the Taliban would focus on inclusivity and gender equality to turn Afghanistan into a haven for human rights https://t.co/wa636nqb85
— Marcel Dirsus (@marceldirsus) October 11, 2021
Hot Air Editor Ed Morrissey: “Someone deserves a Captain Louis Renault award …”
Someone deserves a Captain Louis Renault award … https://t.co/3WHppGZ8ys
— Ed Morrissey (@EdMorrissey) October 11, 2021