August 14, 2024

Statements on the Third Anniversary of the Fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban

Statement by organizers of the Seattle Rally for Afghanistan

August 15, 2024, marks the third anniversary of the fall of Afghanistan and the beginning of a dark and painful era for the people of this country. Three years ago, on this day, two decades of tireless efforts to rebuild, develop, and establish democracy were reduced to nothing, and a group that symbolizes ignorance, darkness, and savagery took the Afghan people hostage.

With the Taliban’s domination of Afghanistan, many educated forces and elites, who were the country’s spiritual assets, were forced to leave their homeland and join the refugee population. This massive migration, accompanied by painful and catastrophic conditions in neighboring countries, is a sign of the deep wound inflicted on Afghan society.

The activities of many national and international organizations have come to an end, and the country’s economy has suffered a severe recession. The people of Afghanistan, especially women, are facing unprecedented challenges, including a severe reduction in access to health services due to restrictions imposed on women and the departure of many health workers.

Ethnic minorities, including Hazaras, Tajiks, and Uzbeks, have faced suppression and discrimination, and many have been forced to flee their homes and properties. The Taliban’s makeshift courts continue to commit violence and oppression, and the Afghan people are crying out against this savage group.

The biggest victims of this situation are Afghan women. Women who have now been deprived of their right to education, work, and even basic human rights. Women play a vital role in the growth and development of society, and the Taliban knows well that educated and empowered women will raise an aware and resistant generation.

Statistics show that the current situation has led to an increase in forced marriages, child marriages, and polygamy in Afghanistan. The patriarchal and anti-woman culture has sharply increased domestic violence against women.

Our protest is not only against educational restrictions; we also fear education under the radical Taliban regime. Our protest is against the presence of the Taliban in Afghanistan, a presence that is slowly being legitimized.

The United Nations, by holding the Doha meeting without the presence of women, has succumbed to the Taliban’s demands, and we strongly condemn this decision. We want Afghan women to decide their own destiny and future. Any decision-making about the fate of women and the Afghan people without hearing their voices is unacceptable to us.

Today, we, a group of women’s rights activists and Afghanistan women and men in exile and migration, have gathered to declare our opposition and protest against the presence of this terrorist, racist, and misogynistic group. We remind the international community not to forget the issue of Afghanistan, Afghan women, and the children who are victims of this tragic event.

This is not our first and last gathering to fight against the Taliban. These protests will continue until the Taliban is ousted and democracy is achieved in Afghanistan.

Long live Afghanistan!
Long live the brave people of Afghanistan!
Long live unity and brotherhood in support of the Afghan people!
Long live the empowered, courageous, and future-making women of Afghanistan!

August 14, 2024, Seattle

Radical Women statement at rally for the people of Afghanistan

I’m Helen Gilbert from Radical Women.

We are here today in solidarity with our sisters and the struggling people of Afghanistan. I salute Afghanistan women’s courage and determination to resist – both at home and in exile around the world. Our sisters ask the world to remember those suffering under the third year of repression and brutal patriarchy of the Taliban. I promise you, we do not forget!

Our solidarity comes from common interests as people who fight for the liberation of women and oppressed peoples, and a just life for all working people everywhere. We in the U.S. have a special responsibility because our government played a major role in creating this disaster. The 20-year war and occupation of Afghanistan was fueled by U.S. capitalism’s economic and political interests. The U.S. helped fund and train the Taliban and other rightwing religious militias because it viewed them as a lesser threat than radical, secular forces. This has happened over and over around the globe. When the war became too much of a liability, the U.S. government did a cut and run, abandoning the people to their fate.

Since its pullout, the U.S. has given more than a billion dollars in supposed humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, but friends in Afghanistan say this money actually enriches the Taliban. The US and UN publicly denounce the Taliban, but make secret deals. In July, the UN agreed to exclude Afghanistani women and not discuss human rights at a UN-sponsored meeting of diplomats and the Taliban. They didn’t want any barriers to talking about private sector economic growth – that means investments for rich countries. This is shameful!

As feminists and socialists, Radical Women pledges to support the efforts of the Afghanistan people to liberate themselves from gender apartheid and state tyranny.

Freedom for the women, working people and oppressed minorities of Afghanistan! Free all political prisoners in Afghanistan! Open U.S. borders to all refugees! We stand with you!