We, a collective of human rights defenders, women’s rights activists, protest movement leaders, civil society organizations, and independent representatives of the Afghan people—inside the country and in exile—declare our firm opposition to the so-called “Comprehensive Approach” recently presented by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
This framework, released on 17 February 2025, not only contradicts the fundamental principles of human rights and the national will of the Afghan people, but also represents a clear deviation from UNAMA’s mandate as defined by the UN Security Council. Rather than supporting a path toward sustainable peace, this proposal paves the way for the normalization of an illegal, repressive, and illegitimate regime.
Our first and foremost concern is the deviation from the Security Council’s mandate and UNAMA’s departure from institutional neutrality. According to Resolution 1401, UNAMA is mandated to support rights-based, participatory, and democratic processes. Yet this new approach positions the Taliban—an unelected and violent group—as one of the primary “stakeholders,” effectively transforming the mission into a mechanism of legitimization.
Moreover, the so-called “Mosaic Approach” outlined in the document places fundamental human rights, girls’ education, and women’s political participation alongside topics such as security, economics, and diplomacy. This dangerously undermines the indivisibility and non-negotiability of human rights and creates room for political bargaining over human dignity.
We strongly object to the structural exclusion of Afghan civil society from political decision-making processes. The proposal includes no clear, binding, or transparent mechanisms to ensure the meaningful participation of women, human rights defenders, youth, minorities, migrants, and other independent constituencies. Meanwhile, the Taliban—responsible for the current humanitarian, cultural, and gender crises—are portrayed as legitimate political partners. This path does not restore legitimacy; it reinforces repression and injustice.
We also reject the instrumental use of humanitarian aid to advance political objectives. While the Taliban are themselves the primary source of the humanitarian catastrophe in Afghanistan, UNAMA is facilitating their diplomatic rehabilitation and international normalization under the pretext of aid delivery. This dangerous deviation risks turning the UN into a vehicle for the normalization of violence, discrimination, and tyranny.
Politically, the imbalance between the vague and symbolic expectations placed on the Taliban and the clear, actionable rewards offered to them is deeply concerning. While the Taliban are expected to meet only three broad, interpretable commitments—claims they already make publicly—rewards such as re-establishing diplomatic channels and lifting sanctions are precise and immediate. This imbalance allows a repressive group to gain international re-entry at minimal cost.
Furthermore, this entire decision-making process is proceeding without the genuine inclusion of the Afghan people. There are no participatory mechanisms for shaping the country’s political future. Instead of consulting with real representatives of Afghan society, decisions are being imposed from the top down and from outside the national will. This approach is not only illegitimate—it directly violates the Afghan people’s right to self-determination.
We, the Afghan human rights defenders, women’s activists, and protest movements, firmly reject this framework and declare our unwavering commitment to reclaiming our right to justice and self-determination.
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Accordingly, we demand the following:
• The complete suspension of the current “Comprehensive Approach” and a fundamental revision of its structure, centered on human rights, rule of law, and genuine public participation.
• The absolute rejection of any recognition of the Taliban as a political or diplomatic party. Given their documented record of systemic human rights violations, structural exclusion of women, persecution of minorities, and imposition of gender apartheid, the Taliban lack any political or international legitimacy. Any formal engagement with them violates the core principles of human rights and the UN’s mission for peace and dignity.
• A guarantee of transparent, independent, and equal participation of Afghan women and civil society in all future political, legal, oversight, and decision-making processes concerning Afghanistan.
• The establishment of independent, multilateral international monitoring mechanisms to assess both Taliban practices and UNAMA’s role in engaging with them.
• An immediate end to the politicization of humanitarian aid and the full restoration of UNAMA’s adherence to humanitarian neutrality and effective support for actual victims.
• Clear, continuous, and practical support from the United Nations, states, and international institutions for Afghan civil society, free media, and the independent voices of the people—as the only legitimate basis for rebuilding the nation.
No framework that sidelines the people, normalizes repression, and commodifies human rights will ever bring peace or legitimacy. In its current form, UNAMA’s approach is a dereliction of its mandate, and unless corrected, it will transform the mission from a neutral mediator into part of the crisis itself.
With respect
