Taliban Economy Minister Meets Catholic Relief Services Officials on Aid and Development

Din Mohammad Hanif, Taliban minister of economy, met with officials from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) on Sunday, February 8, and discussed humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. He urged the organization to support development programs alongside its humanitarian services.

The Taliban Ministry of Economy stated that Hanif held talks with Shan Klahan, CRS general president; Hasan Mohammad al-Mahdi, regional president; and the head of CRS's Afghanistan office. CRS officials provided information on their services in agriculture, livestock, cash assistance, and small business support in Balkh and Kunduz provinces. Hanif welcomed the expansion of CRS activities, emphasizing transparency and regional balance in aid distribution.

Hanif said the Taliban administration is planning to build 25 settlements for returnees, which require clean drinking water, hospitals, schools, and other essential facilities. He called for increased cooperation from institutions in these areas.

Addressing a UNAMA quarterly report, Hanif denied claims of arbitrary arrests, detentions, or violence against women and men, stating all enforcers' actions are based on Islamic Sharia and Taliban laws. He described the report's human rights violation allegations as contradicting realities in Afghanistan.

UNAMA reported that Taliban Promotion of Virtue enforcers prevented women from walking and morning exercises in Zabul province, issuing warnings against future outdoor activities. The report cited at least 520 arbitrary arrests and 50 cases of abuse by enforcers against women and men. It also noted a Taliban court ordering the arrest of an underage girl for refusing forced marriage, with her still detained.

Taliban officials have repeatedly rejected UN human rights reports. Kabul governor Aminullah Abid called the Promotion of Virtue law divine and non-negotiable, instructing enforcers to use soft language and good ethics. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett described the law as a severe human rights setback. The law restricts citizens' rights, particularly women's, deeming their voices awrah and prohibiting public presence without a mahram. The Taliban has formed enforcement committees in all provinces.