Afghanistan is no stranger to hardships. Over the decades, the country has endured foreign invasions, civil war, terrorism, political betrayal, and immense human suffering. But in 2021, when the Taliban reclaimed control after two decades of democratic progress, a chilling new chapter began—one defined not just by political change, but by the erasure of rights, voices, and hope.
The fall of Kabul in August 2021 was not just a geopolitical event—it was a betrayal. A nation built on sacrifice was handed back to a regime known for its brutality and suppression. For women, ethnic minorities, and the millions who believed in a better, more inclusive Afghanistan, this takeover was more than a shift in power—it was the collapse of a dream.
In a conversation with Amanpreet Singh for the Kashmir Times, Ms. Nigara Mirdad, Political Counsellor (Deputy head of Mission) in exile at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Poland, shared powerful insights into what life has become under Taliban rule—and why the world must not turn away.
Born and raised in a war-torn Afghanistan, Nigara Mirdad’s life has been defined by resistance.
“Being a woman meant living under constant pressure, limitation, and fear,” she says. “But I was surrounded by strong women—my mother, my teachers, my community—who never gave up. They inspired me to believe that silence was not an option.”
Choosing diplomacy wasn't an escape; it was a form of defiance.
“Our stories, our suffering, and our solutions had to be heard. I entered diplomacy to fight for those who had been pushed into silence, and for a future where Afghan women are no longer invisible.”
Reflecting on the Taliban’s return in 2021, Mirdad doesn’t hide her heartbreak.
“It was a betrayal—not just by political leaders inside Afghanistan, but by parts of the international community that walked away when we needed them the most. It was more than a political collapse—it was a moral one.”
The democratic gains of two decades crumbled within days. The perpetrators?
“Corrupt Afghan officials, international partners who chose convenience over principle, and regional powers that empowered extremism over peace.”
Gender Apartheid in the 21st Century
Few places in the world today match the scale of gender oppression Afghan women face.
“They are prisoners in their own country—banned from schools, universities, work, even public parks. This is not just oppression—it's systematic gender apartheid.”
But even under these circumstances, Afghan women resist.
“They protest in the streets, teach in secret classrooms, and raise their voices online. The world must not forget us,” Mirdad says.
One such moment of resistance came during a conference in Albania in 2024, a global cry from Afghan women: “We will not surrender our dignity”.
On India and the Deafening Global Silence
Why has the world gone quiet? Mirdad is blunt:
“After decades of intervention, the world seems tired and indifferent. But engaging with the Taliban without conditions legitimizes oppression and rewards violence.”
Some time ago, Mirdad had raised concerns on X (formerly Twitter) regarding Indian Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar’s conversation with the Taliban’s so-called Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. Now, she voices particular concern about India’s recent abstention from the UN General Assembly resolution on Afghanistan.
“That abstention is not neutral—it signals hesitation at a time when moral clarity is needed. India must stand firmly for justice. Quiet diplomacy is not enough when women are banned from education and minorities are targeted.”
Ethnic Persecution: A Hidden Crisis
Afghanistan’s strength lies in its diversity, but under Taliban rule, that very diversity has become a target.
“Afghanistan today is not just facing gender apartheid—it is experiencing ethnic repression,” says Mirdad, herself a Tajik.
The plight of the Hazara community is especially horrifying:
“Over 60 attacks since 2021—massacres in schools, mosques, neighborhoods—have gone largely unpunished.”
"What is happening is not just exclusion, she warns—it is ideological domination," she adds.
The diplomat explains, “The Taliban is not simply a political force—it is an extremist religious group. They kill, torture, and erase anyone who does not conform. This is systematic ethnic and ideological persecution.”
Unbroken Spirits: Afghan Women and the Power of Protest
Despite unimaginable risks, Afghan women continue to defy the Taliban.
“To protest under Taliban rule, knowing you could be arrested, tortured, or killed, takes extraordinary strength.”
To the young girls of Afghanistan, Mirdad sends this message:
“You are not alone. Your dreams are valid. Your courage is history in the making.”
A Vision for a Just Afghanistan—and a Plea to the World
What does a just Afghanistan look like?
“A place where no child is denied education, no community is targeted for their ethnicity, and power is shared—not taken by force.”
Despite exile and oppression, Mirdad still holds on to hope.
“Hope alone is not enough. We need action—support for resistance, humanitarian access, and pressure on abusers.”
And her plea to the world is simple and powerful:
“Do not normalize the Taliban. Do not turn your backs on 40 million people. Stand with us—for justice, dignity, and a future that belongs to all Afghans.”
A Call Not Just for Awareness, But for Action
The story of Afghanistan today is not just a national tragedy—it is a global test of conscience. A regime built on oppression has reclaimed power, but its people—especially its women—have not surrendered. Their fight is not over.
The question remains: Will the world stand with them, or stay silent in the face of injustice?
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