The Loja Jirga is always in demand in Afghanistan when major changes are pending. This time over 3000 delegates will discuss peace talks with the Taliban.
While the Grand Council has begun in Kabul under massive security measures, the so-called Loja Jirga, many Afghans are worried that the freedoms gained in recent years may be lost again. Especially the women in Afghanistan fear that their rights could be sacrificed to a peace agreement with the Taliban.
In the large assembly tent of the Loja Jirga today and in the next few days more than 3000 delegates from all over the country are discussing framework conditions for peace with the Taliban. Among them are politicians, clergy, teachers and activists.
Women want to fight for their rights
There are also conservative forces among the delegates, for example women’s liberties are going too far.
The women in Afghanistan must fight for their rights, said the activist Suraya Pakzad a reporter from the news agency AP. These rights are in danger, even if they are enshrined in the constitution.
„We can not wait for our rights to be served on a silver platter, just as it happened in 1996, when the Taliban came to power, and this time we have to fight for our rights and we need the international community to do that bring it to our attention, we are not going back to the situation of that time. “
Taliban not included
The Taliban, who do not participate in the Loja Jirga, have not only different ideas about the future rights of women, as the current constitution of Afghanistan. Above all, they called for early withdrawal of foreign troops during talks with the US. The US Special Envoy, Zalmay Khalilzad, who has been holding talks for months, said in an interview with TOLO News that there will be no withdrawal unless there is peace in Afghanistan.
„We want to achieve peace in Afghanistan, we want a political solution, it’s not about retreat, it’s about peace, and only a prolonged ceasefire and peace will open up the possibility for US troops to withdraw.“
Among other things, the Grand Council in Kabul is to determine the red lines for the planned peace talks between the government and the Taliban.
Last meeting took place in 2013
Loja Dschirgas are convened regularly in Afghanistan to resolve major national issues. Most recently, it met in 2013, allowing US forces to stay in the country beyond the originally planned deduction date in 2014.
