Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

No Changes to Constitution for Peace Talks: Spanta

No Changes to Constitution for Peace Talks: Spanta

KABUL - Responding to fears that a reconciliation deal with the Taliban could possibly mean concessions on some of the progress in women's rights that has been made over the past decade, National Security Advisor Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta indicated Saturday that changes to the Constitution would be an unacceptable precondition to talks.

"Regarding those who want changes in the Constitution and want to set that as a precondition for peace talks, it will never happen," Dr. Spanta said.

Under the Taliban regime, Afghan women were relegated to the home and barred from participation in politics, business and most of public life. Since the U.S. led invasion in 2001, women have started businesses, become elected officials, played professional sports and led the way in the country's growing entertainment industry.

The Afghan Constitution, which was ratified in 2004, extended equal rights to Afghan women in a major departure from the legal discrimination they suffered under the Taliban.

Head of the High Peace Council (HPC), Salahuddin Rabbani, has echoed Dr. Spanta's comments and said that women's rights will never be sacrificed for peace with insurgents.

"Women rights and women's achievements are a red line for the peace process and peace policy, they will never be sacrificed," Rabbani said.

The head of the Afghan government's group charged with overseeing the peace negotiation process said that adds that peace would be impossible unless the rights of all citizens, especially women, are equal under the law.

The Peace Efforts Cooperation Committee, a private group focused on furthering the reconciliation process, has gathered the signatures of 250,000 women from all over Afghanistan calling for progress in peace talks. The committee will send the petition to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Taliban leaders and the United Nations.

"This is not only the voices of women but the voice of the silent majority, it includes men, women, young and old who all want an end to the killing of kids and elderly during the bombings, suicide attacks and battles between the sides involved in the conflict," (HPC) Gender Advisor Muazema Naeemzai said.  (Tolonews)