UK Special Envoy Calls on Taliban to Engage All Afghans in Dialogue About Their Future

Kokcha News Agency: During his recent visit to Kabul, Richard Lindsay, the UK Special Envoy to Afghanistan, called on the Taliban to engage all Afghans in dialogue about the future of their country. Lindsay, accompanied by UK Chargé d’Affaires Robert Dickson, met with Taliban acting ministers and officials from key ministries, including interior, defense, health, and refugees and repatriation.

In a statement, Lindsay emphasized the UK’s concerns about the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. “The UK Government calls on the Taliban to respect the human rights of all Afghans and to engage all Afghans in dialogue about the country’s future,” he said.

The discussions covered a wide range of issues, including the situation of Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan, the Taliban’s general amnesty, human rights, the UN-led Doha process, and the future of UK-Afghanistan bilateral engagement.

Lindsay also met with Afghan civil society groups, regional diplomatic representatives, and NGOs working to improve the lives of Afghans. He stressed that Afghanistan’s situation can only improve when all parties engage constructively in the UN-led political process and uphold their international obligations.

The UK Government stated that Lindsay’s appointment reflects its continued commitment to Afghanistan and its people. His visit coincided with an event in London highlighting UK support for UNICEF’s First Foods for Afghanistan Initiative, which aims to prevent malnutrition among 1.7 million children across all 34 provinces.

“This is another example of the UK Government’s enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan,” the statement concluded.