By Imke Mentink
As world leaders gather in Baku for COP29, a striking presence raises eyebrows—Afghanistan, represented under Taliban rule. Their attendance sparks a moral dilemma: should a regime notorious for human rights violations be part of global climate talks? While Afghanistan’s people urgently need aid, is engaging with the Taliban an ethical step forward or a compromise too great?
In the Conference of the Parties (COP) like-minded countries come together to enhance their global climate goals. This year, from the 11th until the 22nd of November, the COP29 takes place in Baku, Azerbaijan. This year’s attendees are striking, to say the least. With Biden, Trump, Von der Leyen, Macron, Scholz, and representatives of the BRICS absent, the Talibans’ presence becomes very noticeable. This is especially extraordinary given Afghanistan's turbulent history with the UN. Should a regime that silences women have a voice in global climate talks? The Taliban's presence at COP29 raises a paradox that challenges the very principles of the United Nations. On the one hand, involvement is needed to improve the deteriorating effects of climate change; on the other hand, the global sphere should continue highlighting and condemning their human rights breaches.
The Taliban had partial rule over Afghanistan from 1996 until 2001. This was followed by a long period of fighting, ending in August 2021 with their return to power. From then on, the Taliban has been committed to ending diplomatic isolation and seeking peaceful cooperation to improve Afghanistan's problems. Most of Afghanistan’s problems stem from the years of war that have had tremendous effects on the country’s infrastructure. More than half of the country’s population cannot satisfy their basic household needs. Additionally, climate change leaves the country suffering from extreme drought and flooding.
The people of Afghanistan certainly need help, but the situation is more complex than that. In practice, the Taliban is in control of Afghanistan since the former Afghan government’s authority collapsed. But they are not officially recognized as the lawful government by the global realm. Hence why, they did not take over the chair of representatives of Afghanistan for COP29. Countries are hesitant in recognizing them due to their human rights violations, especially regarding women. The Taliban has restricted women from education, health care, leaving home without a male guardian, and recently even from raising their voices in public. Their control over women's lives is only increasing and getting more violent.
Recognition from the global realm or not, the Taliban has control of the state and consequently can act as representative of Afghanistan in this global sphere. The UN has envisioned a pathway to recognition on the condition that the Taliban improves with regards to human rights. Recognition would also mean increased involvement of the Taliban in the global sphere. Withholding recognition is often seen as a way to induce behavioral change. Others argue that increased interaction between the Taliban and the global sphere would soften their policies. But is this a realistic expectation?
The past has shown that real change still has a long way to go. Policies towards women and girls have only become more strict and violent, while the lack of recognition has existed for over two years. Additionally, Taliban leaders have travelled and met with international representatives for over two years which have not led to softer policies. Withholding cooperation or recognition until the Taliban improves on human rights is extremely problematic because people need help and the time is ticking. In that regard, the international community is punishing innocent people with its conditions on the Taliban. Making Afghanistan a failed state is in violation of these peoples’ human rights. It might make us lose grip on the country and only feed the extremist trend in the country.
However, even then I cannot stop thinking about all the Afghan women who are not allowed to educate themselves, to go outside without a male guardian, or even speak in public places. Yes, the people of Afghanistan need help, but the Taliban's presence at a UN conference is problematic given the human rights violations that Afghan women are subjected to in their everyday lives. Both options, conditionality or cooperation, give no promises of improvement of standards of living. But one thing is certain, it feels deeply contradictory to let Taliban leaders walk around a conference by an organization that speaks so highly of human rights. Climate action must not come at the cost of human dignity.
Sources: Foreign Affairs, BBC, International Centre for Counter-Terrorism, DW News, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Written by Imke Mentink
Edited by Nina Gush & Sarah Valkenburg
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