Western economic sanctions are to blame for the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, a spokesman for the Taliban has told Sky News.
A Sky News team in the Taliban-run country has seen children as young as 12 inside Herat’s prison – and many of them have said they are there for “stealing bicycles”.
Several parents also told Sky how they have resorted to selling their kidneys – and their children – so they can feed the rest of the family.
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‘Locked up for weeks for stealing bikes’
Responding to the Sky News reports, which show millions of Afghans, including children, are facing starvation and exposure to the cold elements this winter, Suhail Shaheen told Sky News: “It is not the result of our activities. It is the result of the sanctions imposed on Afghanistan.
“So it turns to those who have imposed the sanctions, which have resulted in a humanitarian crisis.
“During the last six months we have done what we have in our capacity to do for the people of Afghanistan, in order to alleviate the suffering, the problems of the people of Afghanistan.
“But it needs the international community to cooperate with us, not to punish the people of Afghanistan by imposing unjustified sanctions on the country.”
Sky News has found parents having to sell their children and own organs to feed their starving families, with infants among those most badly affected by the country’s economic woes.
Read more: Malnourished, weak and cold to the bone with no room for grief
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Poor Afghan families sell daughters
To have those US-led sanctions relieved, the international community has asked for the regime to make changes, including guaranteeing women’s rights and opening up education to all.
Asked why that hasn’t happened yet, the spokesman asserted: “Those things have happened, because it is the demand of the people of Afghanistan. We have no problem with women having access to work and to education.”
He said that just a few days ago, the regime announced universities would open “to both male and female students” – and argued if there were failings, this was down to insufficient funding and resources.
“It is the obligation of the international community to proe us financially in order to achieve that goal,” he said.
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Locked up for months without trial
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Sky News has been reporting on an increasing number of young, female activists disappearing – being kidnapped – with eyewitnesses pointing the finger at the Taliban.
Mr Shaheen responded: “I have heard these allegations.”
He said he had contacted the country’s intelligence department, which assured him none of its staff are involved.
Read more: Inside Taliban prison where children as young as 12 are held
NGOs have said they are getting the supplies to help Afghans. Asked if they would allow them to operate freely within the country’s borders, Mr Shaheen replied: “Yes, surely.
“We are committed to proing a secure environment for all NGOs and diplomats working in Afghanistan.”
There are some within the Taliban who don’t want the regime to develop an inclusive and diverse leadership.
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Desperation as babies fight for life in hospital
Could the Taliban fall apart, turn on itself, and become subject to more attacks from Islamic State groups as a result?
Mr Shaheen replied the focus of the regime was on “reconstruction”, insisting: “We do not have any foreign agenda.
“What we have is to focus on the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and for that we want to have cooperation with other countries.
“We pave the way and facilitate investment of other countries in Afghanistan, in our huge natural resources, because that will be beneficial to all sides, and also will create jobs for the people of Afghanistan and will also help contribute towards security in the country.
“And security, stability in Afghanistan means security, stability in the region and the world.”
