We, the women of Afghanistan—who have faced oppression, humiliation, and destruction following the fall of our country due to the betrayal and misguided policies of Zalmay Khalilzad—are sending you this letter in protest of his treacherous actions and to demand that he be brought to justice.
Khalilzad not only paved the way for the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan but also betrayed the values of the United States. Disguised as a diplomat, he was, in reality, a traitorous agent who legitimized the Taliban by transforming them from a terrorist group into a recognized political force. He repeatedly claimed the Taliban had changed and would honor their commitments—claims that have since been exposed as lies through their continued acts of murder, repression, and the brutal enforcement of extremist laws, especially targeting women. Under his watch, Afghanistan became a safe haven for terrorist groups including al-Qaeda and ISIS, proving false the narrative that the Taliban were combating terrorism for global security.
We, the women of Afghanistan—the direct victims of this betrayal—are witnessing firsthand the catastrophic consequences of Khalilzad’s actions:
• Deprivation of our most basic human rights, including education and employment, and the violent suppression of dissent.
• The transformation of Afghanistan into a hub for the world’s most dangerous terrorist groups, posing a serious threat to international security.
But Khalilzad’s betrayal did not stop in Afghanistan. His policies led to the deaths of more than 15 American service members and over 200 Afghan civilians on August 26, 2021, at Kabul Airport, during the disastrous U.S. withdrawal. Today, the world sees that because of Khalilzad’s treachery, Afghanistan has not been liberated—it has become a prison for millions, especially women, and a breeding ground for terrorism that threatens global peace, particularly the safety of the United States.
We demand that Zalmay Khalilzad be held accountable not only by the U.S. government but also in a fair and public court of law. His decisions have resulted in humanitarian catastrophe and endangered global security. He must be held responsible for these grave crimes against the people of Afghanistan and for his betrayal of the United States.
We call on the U.S. Department of State to:
1. Fully investigate Khalilzad’s betrayal and his role in the fall of Afghanistan.
2. Support the people of Afghanistan—especially women—through strong policies that do not appease the Taliban.
3. Prevent individuals like Khalilzad, who led our country to ruin, from ever again influencing U.S. policy on Afghanistan.
4. Bring Khalilzad to trial and hold him accountable for the treasonous decisions that amounted to crimes against the Afghan people.
We, the women of Afghanistan, demand justice.
Respectfully,
The Women of Afghanistan