The Taliban might be accountable for its actions and can examine experiences of reprisals and atrocities carried out by members, an official of the Islamist militant group advised Reuters on Saturday.
The official, who spoke on situation of anonymity, added that the group deliberate to prepared a brand new mannequin for governing Afghanistan throughout the subsequent few weeks.
It has been only a week for the reason that Taliban accomplished a lighting quick takeover of the nation, lastly strolling into Kabul final Sunday with out firing a shot.
Since then, particular person Afghans and worldwide help and advocacy teams have reported harsh retaliation towards protests, and roundups of those that previously held authorities positions criticised the Taliban or labored with Individuals.
“Now we have heard of some circumstances of atrocities and crimes towards civilians,” the official mentioned, including, “If Talibs (members) are doing these legislation and order issues, they are going to be investigated.
“We are able to perceive the panic, stress and nervousness.
“Individuals assume we is not going to be accountable, however that won’t be the case.”
Though the group has sought to current a extra reasonable face since its takeover, the Taliban dominated with an iron fist from 1996 to 2001, earlier than being toppled by U.S.-led forces for sheltering al Qaeda militants behind the September 11 assaults.
Former officers advised harrowing tales of hiding from the Taliban in latest days as gunmen went from door to door. One household of 16 described operating to the toilet, lights off and kids’s mouths coated, in worry for his or her lives.
The brand new framework for governing the nation wouldn’t be a democracy by Western definition, however “It can shield everybody’s rights,” the official added
“Authorized, non secular and overseas coverage specialists within the Taliban goal to current the brand new governing framework within the subsequent few weeks,” he mentioned.
The official declined feedback on home media experiences that
Mullah Baradar, the chief of the Taliban’s political workplace, had arrived in Kabul.
The chaos at Kabul airport, besieged by 1000’s of individuals determined to flee, was not the duty of the Taliban, he added.
“The West might have had a greater plan to evacuate,” he mentioned.
Gun-toting Taliban members across the airport have urged these with out journey paperwork to go residence. Not less than 12 folks have been killed in and across the airport since Sunday, NATO and Taliban officers mentioned.
A NATO official advised Reuters on Saturday that about 12,000 foreigners and Afghans working for embassies and worldwide help teams have been evacuated from Kabul airport since Taliban insurgents entered the capital.
“The evacuation course of is sluggish, as it’s dangerous, for we don’t need any type of clashes with Taliban members or civilians exterior the airport,” mentioned the official, who sought anonymity.
“We don’t need to begin a blame sport concerning the evacuation plan.”
As Western nations struggled to ramp up the tempo of evacuations amid the chaos and experiences of Taliban violence, U.S. President Joe Biden confronted criticism in regards to the planning for the withdrawal of U.S. troops and the Islamist militants’ swift takeover.
“I’ve seen no query of our credibility from our allies,” Biden advised reporters after making a speech from the White Home on Friday.
“As a matter of reality,” he continued, “the precise reverse I’ve bought … we’re appearing with dispatch, we’re appearing, committing to what we mentioned we might do.”
NATO Secretary-Normal Jens Stoltenberg known as the scenario exterior Kabul airport “very dire and troublesome”, as a number of member nations pressed for evacuations to proceed past a U.S. deadline of Aug. 31.
Biden has not backed off that deadline, regardless of calls – internationally and at residence from fellow Democrats in addition to opposition Republicans – to maintain troops in Afghanistan so long as essential to convey residence each American.
Biden mentioned he couldn’t predict the ultimate end result in Afghanistan, the place america and allies have waged a 20-year battle.
However he promised to work with different international locations to set “harsh circumstances” for any cooperation with, or recognition of, the Taliban, based mostly on their human rights file.
“They’re trying to acquire some legitimacy; they’re going to have to determine how they’re going to retain that nation.
“And there’s going to be some harsh circumstances, robust circumstances we’re going to use that can depend upon … how properly they deal with ladies and women, how they deal with their residents,” he mentioned.
(Reuters/NAN)
