A group of Afghan women activists and protesters has called on Donald Trump, President-Elect of the United States to revoke the 2020 U.S.-Taliban peace agreement, citing its role in triggering Afghanistan’s ongoing political and humanitarian crises.
In an open letter, they criticized the deal for failing to bring peace and stability, describing its outcomes as disastrous both within Afghanistan and globally.
The letter said that after the agreement and the Taliban’s return to power, the group began oppressing women and girls, alongside other harmful policies such as the persecution of minorities, war crimes, forced displacements, targeted killings, drug trafficking, and the suppression of media and civil society.
The activists said that the agreement has exacerbated Afghanistan’s migration crisis, increased international terrorism, and destabilized the region. It is also said to have fostered a dangerous governance model and fueled organized crime.
The U.S.-Taliban agreement, signed in February 2020, set the stage for the withdrawal of American forces after nearly 20 years of war. However, critics, including the activists, argue that it directly contributed to the collapse of Afghanistan’s government and the erosion of women’s rights under the Taliban.
They have urged Trump to use his power and influence to support the people of Afghanistan, particularly the women and girls oppressed by the Taliban, and to take action in bringing justice, freedom, and peace to the country.
Since retaking control of the country in August 2021, the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, limiting their access to education, employment, and many basic freedoms, including their ability to move or speak freely.
