In the face of human rights abuses and a fractured response from the international community, the Afghan diaspora keeps a stubborn hope that change for Afghanistan can come. Through concerted efforts to craft an effective policy stance, the international community can productively engage with Afghanistan.
The University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the Libertas Council hosted a panel discussion, featuring Dr. Sibghatullah Ghaznawi, Muqaddesa Yourish, Aref Dostyar, and moderator Dr. Laurie Nathan. Emily Milnes of the Libertas Council provided closing remarks. The core of the discussion focused on an upcoming paper from Dr. Ghaznawi investigating the international community’s strategies to engage with the de facto authorities. It proposes a different path that emphasizes respect for human rights while trying to balance real-time priorities.
Since the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the emerging strategy from the international community and the United Nations has been to use pressure and incentives to advance human rights in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls. However, the sanctions, aid requirements, freezing assets, and withholding recognition have failed to bring about the desired outcome and increased legitimacy within the Taliban. Further, with the lack of results proximal states have begun to desert the international strategy for ones that support their national security. Pressure without international coordination produced Taliban adaptation, not collapse.
These developments have left the international community questioning what the path forward for Afghanistan is. One speaker underscored that when states choose pragmatism over principles, Afghan citizens, especially women, are the ones that pay the price. Moving forward in a principled way requires the international community to do several things. First, setting clear goals for engaging is vital. It’s impossible to build a roadmap to an unknown destination. The international community must thoughtfully consider what they want to accomplish in Afghanistan and then craft the strategy to accomplish it. Re-evaluating the effectiveness of its strategy, taking a look at sanctions, improving the transparency of international trade, and cultivating strong private sector ties to encourage the women that are still leading businesses are all ways to improve. In all of this, Afghans must lead; the diaspora and global community must support with wise clarity.
Afghanistan’s “stubborn hope” is alive, well, and moving. As international engagement evolves to principled and strategic partnership, the Afghan people are honored with more than symbolic solidarity. Dr. Ghaznawi’s upcoming paper outlines a path forward for states to critically examine the current reality and move forward to a brighter future.
