Human rights advocates, journalists, bankers, members of the former parliament, and former Afghan government officials met with UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation in Afghanistan Richard Bennett in Istanbul.
On Tuesday, May 31, he announced his meeting on Twitter, but stressed it was an informal and “useful” visit.
Special Rapporteur Bennett, however, did not provide any additional information.
Last week, the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan concluded an 11-day visit to the country. During his visit, he also visited a number of provinces, describing the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan as “extremely concerning.”
At the same time, Thomas West, the US Special Representative for Afghanistan, visited journalists, bankers, human rights activists, members of the previous parliament, and other former government officials, in Istanbul.
The US special representative also stated that he had met with political figures who believed that violence was not the ideal way forward for the Afghan people and that they preferred and were eager to participate in the political process.
He also expressed disappointment that no such process is currently underway.
A group of political figures calling themselves the Supreme Council of National Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan recently met in Turkey and issued a declaration saying that the Taliban should stop ruining Afghanistan and instead negotiate to address the problems.
According to political figures, no group has been able to establish long-term rule in Afghanistan through force or pressure. They also stated that they were seeking to form an inclusive administration in Afghanistan through dialogue, and that if those efforts failed, they would consider military action.
