Taliban begin talks with western officials in Oslo
The talks, set to last three days, will cover human rights
and the humanitarian crisis in the country.
The UN says 95% of Afghans do not have enough to eat.
A number of protests have taken place in Europe with critics
claiming the Taliban should not be rewarded with the meetings.
On Sunday, members of the Taliban met with human rights
activists but the details of those discussions have not been revealed.
One feminist activist, Jamila Afghani, told AFP news agency
that the negotiators showed "goodwill".
"Let's see what their actions will be, based on their
words," she said.
Appeal to help Afghanistan over starvation fears
The struggle to save Afghanistan's starving babies
Monday is said to be the most significant day of talks with
Taliban members meeting western officials. The group are set to request access
to billions of dollars that are frozen in US banks.
Afghanistan has seen unemployment and food prices soar,
whilst the value of its currency is plummeting and banks have set limits on
cash withdrawals.
The United Nations has warned that hunger threatens 55% of
the population.
"We are requesting them to unfreeze Afghan assets and
not punish ordinary Afghans because of the political discourse," Taliban
delegate Shafiullah Azam told the Associated Press news agency.
"Because of the starvation, because of the deadly
winter, I think it's time for the international community to support Afghans,
not punish them because of their political disputes."
Western envoys are expected to emphasise the importance of a
more inclusive Taliban government and human rights.
Since taking power, the Taliban have told most female
workers to stay at home while secondary schools are only open to boys and male
teachers. A number of women have been targeted for speaking out against the
move. Some are now said to be missing with the Taliban denying their involvement.
Human rights activists and journalists have also been
targeted since the Taliban came to power.
At present, no country has recognised the new Afghan
government.
Norway's Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said the
meetings "do not represent a legitimisation or recognition of the
Taliban".
"But we must talk to the de facto authorities in the
country," she said.
The initiative has divided Afghans - some stress the
importance of engaging the Taliban; others insist that the Taliban should not
be invited to European capitals while they systematically violate human rights
at home, the BBC's Lyse Doucet reports.
A number of protests have taken place across Europe over the
weekend.
In Oslo, one protester told AFP news agency that the
discussions were the equivalent of "laughing in the face" of Afghans
who have lost family members.
"You do not talk to terrorists," she said.
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