Bill advocates rejecting Taliban government recognition

A group of lawmakers have introduced a bill preventing the Biden Administration from recognizing Afghanistan’s Taliban-controlled government in international organizations.

Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) joined Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) in detailing the Taliban Recognition Prevention Act.

“The Taliban is not interested in playing any sort of productive role in the international community, and has already started to strip Afghan women, and others, of their basic human rights,” Curtis said. “Members of their new government even include individuals on sanctions and the FBI’s Most Wanted list. The U.S. should not endorse this anti-democratic and oppressive behavior.”

Per the bill, the President should not extend diplomatic recognition to the Taliban-controlled Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan; should not provide any funds to the Taliban, directly or indirectly, nor act to relieve any bilateral or multilateral sanctions on the Taliban or Taliban leaders. It also pointed out that the Taliban keeps a partnership with al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations posing a threat to the national security interests of the United States.

“It is unfortunate and disappointing that the Taliban’s charm offensive has duped the White House,” Kinzinger said. “A governing body with known terrorists and men who repressed the rights of women and minorities for decades just shows us that the Taliban has not changed. It’s why the United States, our allies and all international organizations must keep pressure on the Taliban until they take meaningful steps to denounce terrorism and maintain the gains made by the Afghan people over the past 20 years.”