Blacklists must no longer be impediments for peace

An impediment for resolving the Afghan issue and success of negotiations is the continuing existence of black and rewards lists containing the names of numerous leaders of the Islamic Emirate which is hindering the negotiations process and mutual trust. Even more astonishing, those controlling these exact sanctions and reward lists are outwardly calling for peace and settlement but have at the same time kept the names of some leaders of the Islamic Emirate in black and reward lists.

When an individual is placed in a blacklist, a myriad of sanctions are imposed and rewards are announced against him, yet at the same time, he or that group is called towards a settlement is not only unreasonable but no expectations must be held for results because the first step towards any understanding and settlement is mutual trust which can never be built so long as such lists exist.

A few days earlier on the 30^th of April, the political representatives of the Islamic Emirate held a pentalateral meeting with the representatives of US, Russia, China and Pakistan. Along with a range of topics, the issue of black lists and reward lists was also made a serious focal point as the delegation of the Islamic Emirate made a strong case proving the need for ending these lists.

The representatives of these countries called the ‘trioka plus forum’ also announced in the joint declaration their support for removal of names of individuals associated with the Islamic Emirate from sanctions lists and called it a useful step towards reaching peace and settlement.

It is imperative for mutual trust that names of individuals associated with the Islamic Emirate be completely, and not conditionally or temporarily, be removed from black and reward lists. Ending these blacklists — which have proven of no benefit in the past twenty years but have only harmed mutual trust and remained an impediment obstructing success of the negotiation process — is an urgent need of the hour.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan calls on the United Nations and all parties that if they are truly interested in resolving the Afghan issue and success of the negotiation process, then they must stop insisting upon these lists. Before forwarding recommendations to the Islamic Emirate, they must foremost understand their own responsibilities and through its execution, prove their sincere interest in resolving the Afghan issue and establishing peace and security in our homeland.