**Global Recognition Of Afghanistan's Government: A Complex Issue**

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, no countries have extended diplomatic recognition to the new regime. This is despite the Taliban campaigning for international recognition and several countries maintaining relations with Afghanistan. The Taliban previously ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and received limited diplomatic recognition, with only Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates recognising the group as the rightful government. Today, the Taliban's quest for international recognition is stuck in neutral, with concerns over human rights, particularly those of women, the group's ties to terrorism, and a lack of inclusivity in the new administration discouraging the global community from recognising the Taliban as legitimate rulers.

No countries have extended diplomatic recognition to the Taliban's new regime

The Taliban has been campaigning for international recognition since the takeover, but several countries have vowed never to recognize the Islamic Emirate, and others have said they will only do so if human rights in the country are respected. Some countries have accredited Taliban diplomats, and in September 2023, China became the first country to formally name a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power. However, China still does not formally recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

The lack of diplomatic recognition has complicated global efforts to ease Afghanistan's catastrophic humanitarian crisis, as international assistance cannot be sent to the country through the Taliban under the current circumstances. The Taliban's insistence on interpreting and enforcing their version of Islam, including imposing restrictions on women's rights and education, has been a significant factor in the international community's reluctance to extend diplomatic recognition.

Despite the lack of formal recognition, there have been official diplomatic talks between the Taliban and other countries since September 2021. Some countries, such as China, Russia, and Turkey, have maintained embassies in Afghanistan and engaged in high-level diplomacy with the Taliban.

The United Nations has not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and has called for the establishment of an inclusive, negotiated political settlement with the full and equal participation of women. The United States and its allies are considering various options regarding recognition, including recognizing the Taliban with certain conditions or withholding recognition entirely.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates recognised the Taliban's previous government

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were the only three countries to recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan during their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001.

The Taliban, whose name means "seekers of religious knowledge", first emerged in the early 1990s in northern Pakistan following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The predominantly Pashtun movement promised to restore peace and security and enforce their own austere version of Sharia law, or Islamic law, once in power. They were initially welcomed by many Afghans, who were weary of the mujahideen's excesses and infighting after the Soviets were driven out. The Taliban's early popularity was also due to their success in stamping out corruption, curbing lawlessness, and making the roads and areas under their control safe for commerce.

However, the Taliban introduced or supported punishments in line with their strict interpretation of Sharia law, such as public executions of convicted murderers and adulterers, as well as amputations for those found guilty of theft. They banned television, music, and cinema, and disapproved of girls aged 10 and over attending school. They were also accused of various human rights and cultural abuses, including the notorious example of the destruction of the famous Bamiyan Buddha statues in central Afghanistan in 2001, despite international outrage.

The Taliban's rule was marked by their harbouring of Osama bin Laden, a fugitive Saudi millionaire and the world's most-wanted terrorist suspect. This, along with concerns over human rights abuses, particularly those of women, a rise in opium cultivation and trafficking, and disdain for human rights, led foreign governments to shun and isolate the country.

In September 2001, Gulf powers, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, severed ties with the Taliban for "harbouring terrorists" after airplanes hijacked by al-Qaeda militants, mostly Saudi nationals, crashed into New York's World Trade Center and Washington's Pentagon, killing thousands.

Pakistan has repeatedly denied that it was the architect of the Taliban enterprise. However, there is little doubt that many Afghans who initially joined the movement were educated in madrassas (religious schools) in Pakistan. Pakistan was also the last country to break diplomatic ties with the Taliban during their first stint in power.

Since the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in 2021, no country has recognised their rule. Several countries have vowed never to recognise the Islamic Emirate, and others have said they will do so only if human rights in the country are respected.

The Taliban has campaigned for international recognition since the takeover

The Taliban has faced an uphill battle in its quest for international recognition since seizing control of Afghanistan by force in 2021. The group's takeover was widely criticized by the international community, and no countries have granted it de jure diplomatic recognition. However, the Taliban has not let this deter them from campaigning vigorously for international recognition.

The Taliban's efforts to gain recognition are driven by their economic needs and the desire to access frozen funds and receive various forms of assistance. They have pursued recognition through diplomatic channels, engaging in high-level diplomacy with neighboring countries and regional powers such as Russia, China, and India. They have also encouraged foreign embassies to return to Kabul and participated in multilateral summits and high-level diplomatic visits. Additionally, the Taliban has accepted foreign investment opportunities and conducted the country's foreign affairs without receiving official recognition.

Despite these efforts, the Taliban has faced significant obstacles due to concerns over human rights, particularly those of women, the group's ties to terrorism, and a lack of inclusivity in the new administration. The Taliban's crackdown on dissent, restrictions on women's education and employment, and revival of oppressive policies from their previous rule have discouraged the global community from granting recognition.

Some countries have taken a hard stance against recognizing the Taliban, with several vowing never to do so. Others have set conditions for recognition, such as respecting human rights, forming an inclusive government, and preventing the use of Afghan territory for terrorism. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were the only three countries that recognized the Taliban's previous government from 1996 to 2001.

While the Taliban has not received de jure recognition, there have been instances of de facto recognition. China became the first country to appoint an ambassador to Afghanistan since the Taliban's takeover, and a few countries have accredited Taliban diplomats without formally recognizing the regime. Additionally, countries like Turkey and Qatar have played a role in rehabilitating the group's image and normalizing relations.

The lack of formal recognition complicates global efforts to address Afghanistan's catastrophic humanitarian crisis, as international assistance cannot be provided directly to the Taliban under current circumstances. As a result, the Afghan people suffer the most from the lack of recognition, hindering their access to much-needed economic relief and humanitarian aid.

The Taliban continues to face the challenging task of convincing the international community to grant it formal recognition, especially with the deteriorating security and humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan.

The Taliban has been allowed to take over the Embassy of Afghanistan in Qatar

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, no countries have extended diplomatic recognition to the new regime. However, the Taliban has been campaigning for international recognition. Several countries have vowed never to recognize the Islamic Emirate, while others have stated that they will do so only if human rights in the country are respected.

Despite no countries recognizing the Taliban as the legitimate successor of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, there have been official diplomatic talks between the Taliban and other countries since September 2021. Qatar, in particular, has served as the main diplomatic hub for the Taliban since 2012, when the Taliban's Political Office opened in Doha with the assistance of the Qatari government.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has forced many international actors, including Western countries, to reorganize their relations not only with Afghanistan but also with the Middle East. Qatar, one of the most Westernized countries in the region, has chosen to strengthen its ties with the new Afghan government.

In 2013, Qatar allowed the Taliban to open a political office in Doha, which became a hub for diplomatic negotiations and peace talks. The office was established with the aim of facilitating political reconciliation between the Taliban, the government of Afghanistan, the United States, and other countries.

The Taliban's presence in Qatar has been a source of controversy, with some accusing Qatar of encouraging terrorism and extremist acts by providing a platform for the Taliban. However, Qatar has defended its position by emphasizing its role as a mediator and facilitator of peace talks.

In recent years, the Taliban has increased its diplomatic efforts, holding meetings with various countries and participating in international conferences. The group has also been allowed to take over the Embassy of Afghanistan in Qatar, further solidifying its diplomatic presence in the country.

While no country has formally recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, there are varying levels of engagement and interaction between nations and the Taliban. Some countries maintain embassies and continue to operate within Afghanistan, while others have chosen to work through Qatar or other intermediaries.

The international community faces a delicate balance between addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and not legitimizing the Taliban regime. As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve, the diplomatic strategies of all involved parties will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the country and the region.

The Taliban has been accused of human rights abuses, particularly against women

During their first period of rule, the Taliban was notorious for its misogyny and violence against women. Women were mandated to wear the burqa at all times in public and were subjected to systematic segregation, often referred to as "gender apartheid". They were banned from working and were not allowed to receive an education after the age of eight. Women seeking an education had to attend underground schools and risked execution if caught. They were also not allowed to be treated by male doctors unless accompanied by a male chaperone. The Taliban enforced public executions and corporal punishment, such as stoning and flogging, for violations of their laws.

Since regaining power, the Taliban has imposed restrictions on women's rights, including their access to education, employment, and freedom of movement. They have banned girls from attending secondary schools and universities and prohibited women from working in most sectors, except for health and education. The Taliban has also enforced the wearing of face coverings in public and barred women from travelling without a close male relative. In addition, they have shut down beauty salons and banned women from accessing gyms and parks.

The Taliban's treatment of women has been widely condemned by the international community and has been described as "gender apartheid" by the United Nations. Women's rights activists, journalists, and human rights defenders in Afghanistan have faced violence, intimidation, and surveillance by the Taliban. The group has also been accused of committing crimes against humanity of gender persecution.

The response of the international community to the Taliban's abuses has been criticized as inadequate and uncoordinated. Despite the Taliban's attempts to gain international recognition, no country has officially recognized the group as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

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