Consultative meeting of the negotiating team with Women's Affairs, Human Rights and Civil Society commissions of Wolesi Jirga

Habiba Sarabi, Fawzia Koofi, Sharifa Zurmati Wardak and General Ayub Ansari, members of the negotiating team of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, met with members of the Women's Affairs, Human Rights and Civil Society commissions of Wolesi Jirga.

At the beginning of the meeting, Habiba Sarabi, a member of the negotiating team, provided information on the activities of the negotiating team.

Members of the Women's Affairs, Human Rights and Civil Society commissions of Wolesi Jirga then shared their views on the peace negotiations with members of the negotiating team.

Citing Afghan women's concerns about the possible consequences of peace negotiations, Naheed Farid said that peace for women is the protection of their fundamental rights and that if these rights are taken away from them, having lasting stability will be under question.

She stressed that the fundamental rights of Afghan women should not be discussed and negotiated.

Ms. Fareed called for a lasting relationship between the Women's Affairs, Human Rights and Civil Society commissions of Wolesi Jirga and the negotiating team. This link will help both sides to share legal advice and ask for other necessary cooperation.

Simin Barekzai also expressed her concern about the Taliban's commitment to their pledges, stressing that the negotiating team should pay attention to the presence and participation of women in post-reconciliation governance.

She also called for unity among the country's politicians and said that for the end result of the peace process to be acceptable to all, all the people of Afghanistan must be united.

Mahboba Rahmat pointed to the government's many-year achievements, national interests and the protection of the fundamental rights of citizens, especially women, in peace negotiations.

Fatima Kohistani also called on the negotiating team not to trade on women's fundamental rights. She also said that the general policy of the peace process and the red lines of the negotiating team should be clarified to the people.

The members of the negotiating team then spoke about the concerns and suggestions of the participants.

Sharif Zurmati said that the common goal of all Afghans is to bring peace to the country. She said that without the unity and solidarity of different peoples and ethnic groups, it would not be possible to achieve this common goal.

Responding to women's concerns, Gen. Ayub Ansari said the negotiating team is committed to defending women's rights.

Fawzia Koofi also stated that the principal lines of the negotiating team are not separate from the demands of the people of Afghanistan. She said that the general principles of the negotiations have been discussed in the negotiating team.

Ms. Koofi also stated that all members of the negotiating team enter the negotiations from the address of the people of Afghanistan, and none of the members of the team speaks from their personal address.

The meeting also discussed the establishment of a liaison mechanism between the Women's Affairs, Human Rights and Civil Society commissions of Wolesi Jirga and the negotiating team.