Civil Organizations: Russia’s Move to Legitimize the Taliban Has Dangerous Consequences for Women

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Following the Russian Federation’s recognition of the Taliban regime, a number of Afghan civil society organizations, protest movements, and human rights groups have issued a joint statement condemning the decision as “an endorsement of violence, denial of justice, and legitimization of gender apartheid,” warning that it could lead to increased repression, particularly against women, minorities, and independent voices.

The statement asserts that the Taliban are not the legitimate representatives of the Afghan people and that they seized power through force, repression, and without any legal process. It also highlights widespread human rights violations committed by the Taliban, including the systematic exclusion of women and girls from education, employment, and social participation, torture and threats against former security personnel, severe censorship and arrests of journalists, and the complete collapse of independent media.

The organizations state that Russia’s decision, made without any human rights conditions, not only violates the UN Charter and its resolutions, particularly Resolution 1325, but also legitimizes a regime that systematically tramples the rights of women, minorities, and dissenters.

They warn that such a move opens the door to the normalization of relations with the Taliban at the global level and undermines the Afghan people’s trust in the international community.

The statement calls on the Russian Federation to reconsider its decision and, instead of supporting a group that violates human rights, to contribute to international efforts for peace and justice in Afghanistan. It also urges the United Nations, the European Union, and regional countries to adopt a clear and rights-based stance to prevent the legitimization of the Taliban.

This statement comes as the Taliban announced on Thursday (3 July) that their regime has been officially recognized by Russia. The Russian ambassador in Kabul confirmed the move, stating that the formal proposal was made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Russia is the first country to recognize the Taliban regime since the group’s return to power in Afghanistan.