UN political chief urges Taliban to be inclusive

The U.N. political chief says she had “frank and useful” discussions with a wide range of Afghans including senior Taliban officials during a three-day visit

KABUL, Afghanistan -- The U.N. political chief ended a three-day visit to Afghanistan on Thursday saying she had “frank and useful” discussions with a wide range of people, including senior Taliban officials “about what needs to be done to bring about an Afghanistan that is inclusive, abides by its human rights obligations and is a resolute partner in suppressing terrorism.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that during her discussions with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqi and senior Taliban representative Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, Rosemary DiCarlo “emphasized the paramount importance of ensuring that all Afghans — men, women, youth and religious and ethnic groups and minorities, as well — can all take part in governance and public life.”

DiCarlo said in a statement that there is serious concern about the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.

“As I heard again during my visit, the women and girls of Afghanistan want to be able to go to school, work and take part in public life, free of discrimination,” she said. “The progress that was made in this area must not be erased.”