The "Three Years of Taliban Rule in Afghanistan" conference was held on 31st of August 2024 with the aim of analyzing and addressing the complex crisis in Afghanistan. Attended by academic and non-academic experts, diplomats, policymakers, human rights activists, and advocates for women's rights, the conference offered a full day of in-depth discussions on Afghanistan’s humanitarian, human rights, and political crises.

Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi participated in and had an interactive remarks on this timely and well-organized. This comprehensive gathering was an important step in addressing the ongoing crises in Afghanistan and fostering dialogue on the international stage. It highlighted the need for collaborative action and deepened understanding of the multifaceted issues faced by the Afghan people under Taliban rule.

The conference began with an opening address by Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan. In his keynote speech, Bennett highlighted the alarming deterioration of human rights under Taliban rule, emphasizing the urgent need for international attention and action. He provided a comprehensive overview of the systematic violations of human rights, particularly focusing on the plight of women, children, and ethnic and gender minorities. Bennett stressed the importance of unified and immediate global responses to these challenges.

The conference was structured around the following five key themes:

Diplomatic Engagement with the Taliban: The first panel explored the challenges of engaging diplomatically with the Taliban and its impact on the humanitarian crisis and ongoing human rights abuses. The discussion underscored the importance of principled engagement that upholds human rights, fosters political legitimacy, and adheres to international norms.

Systematic Human Rights Violations: In the second panel, experts examined the Taliban's systematic policies of human rights violations and the use of violence to enforce discrimination, suppression, and marginalization. The panelists outlined the devastating consequences of these policies, especially for women, vulnerable groups like the Hazaras, and the future generations of Afghanistan.

Security Challenges and Regional Stability: The third panel addressed the security challenges under Taliban rule and the impact of their return to power on regional and global stability. The focus was on human and social security, particularly for marginalized communities. The panel emphasized that Afghanistan, under the Taliban, has become a growing hub for terrorism and extremism, posing serious security threats to the region and beyond.

Humanitarian Needs and Aid Delivery Challenges: The fourth panel discussed the humanitarian needs and the challenges of delivering aid under the Taliban’s restrictive governance. The conversation revolved around potential strategies for negotiating humanitarian access, despite the Taliban-imposed barriers.

Role of Diaspora Organizations: The final panel explored the role of diaspora organizations in addressing these crises and their efforts to bring about meaningful change in Afghanistan.

The Embassy of Afghanistan is pleased to be part of this important conference alongside young scholars from Afghanistan and Australia. This conference was jointly hosted by Deakin University, Monash University, and La Trobe University in Melbourne.