The expert meeting titled “Examining the Opposition to the UNAMA Plan and Proposing Alternatives” was organized by the Afghanistan Women’s Justice Movement on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 19:00 to 21:00 Central European Time, via the X (Space) platform.
The event was hosted by Fatima Etemadi and Golchehra Yaftali, and featured distinguished speakers including Dr. Rahela Kawir, President of the Global Hazara Women’s Movement; Dr. Murtaza Sarem, researcher and author; Sahraa Karimi, head of Afghan Film and university professor; and Seema Noori, Deputy Director of Generation Outside Afghanistan.
During the discussion, speakers emphasized that the new UNAMA plan was developed without meaningful consultation with the Afghan people, especially women and marginalized communities, and risks legitimizing Taliban rule.
Key criticisms of the UNAMA plan included:
• Lack of consultation with Afghan civil society organizations and democratic forces.
• De facto legitimization of the Taliban through official engagement.
• Exclusion of women, minority groups, and political opposition from the proposed structure.
• Prioritization of political stability over justice and human rights.
Alternative proposals presented by the speakers included:
• Developing a new political process centered on human rights, justice, and inclusive participation of all sectors of Afghan society, particularly women.
• Establishing an internationally supported framework for intra-Afghan dialogues without recognizing the Taliban as legitimate representatives.
• Strengthening support for independent civil society organizations and civil resistance inside and outside Afghanistan.
• Conditioning any international engagement with the Taliban on their verifiable respect for human rights, especially the rights of women and marginalized communities.
At the conclusion of the meeting, participants emphasized that the only path to sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan is through ensuring justice, human rights, and genuine participation of the Afghan people in all political processes.
