Top Republican lawmakers have demanded that the Taliban be designated as a terrorist group, arguing that the unconventional group-led authorities in Afghanistan has a number of cupboard members who’re UN designated terrorists.
Lawmakers have additionally known as for sanctions in opposition to nations that acknowledge the Taliban-led authorities in Afghanistan.
Senators Marco Rubio, Tommy Tuberville, Moore Capito, Dan Sullivan, Thom Tillis and Cynthia Loomis have launched the Terrorist States Prevention Act, which seeks to designate the US Secretary of State the “Illegal Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” as a state sponsor. will give directions. Terrorism and the Taliban as a terrorist group.
The invoice, if handed by Congress and signed into regulation, would additionally impose sanctions in opposition to international people who knowingly present assist to the Taliban and require a report from the US State Department inside six months that it Determines whether or not the Taliban ought to be designated. As a major international drug trafficker beneath the Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.
The regulation would additionally require the US authorities to make sure that taxpayer {dollars} don’t go to international terrorist organizations in Afghanistan.
“There is no doubt that Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is a direct threat to our national security interests and to our allies and partners in both the Middle East and Central Asia,” Rubio stated.
“Following the disastrous army withdrawal of the Biden administration from Afghanistan, the nation is already changing into a secure haven for US-hating terrorists. Unfortunately, there isn’t any purpose to assume that President Biden will deal with the Taliban like terrorists. Congress should act to cope with this new actuality and maintain Americans secure.”
Four senators Joni Ernst, Rick Scott, Dan Sullivan and Tommy Tuberville in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken known as for the Taliban to be designated a terrorist group.
Kabul: Taliban fighters and their supporters trip in motorized automobiles to signify the Afghan nationwide flag and the Taliban flag (File/AP Photo)
“We believe the Taliban easily meet all three criteria and urge you to consider designating the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organization and dealing with them to the maximum extent of the law,” he stated. “
“The Taliban appointed Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of the Haqqani network and a known terrorist wanted by the FBI for killing American citizens, as Interior Minister and allowing terrorist organizations to join the government,” he wrote.
“Given their historical past of supporting terrorist assaults on the United States, their brutal model of governance, their continued show of atrocities in opposition to Americans and our allies, and now, their elevated army functionality, the present model of the Taliban authorities is a vital The hazard presents. United States.
“Furthermore, the Taliban demonstrates the will and means to attack Americans and American interests,” the senators wrote.
In mid-August, the Taliban took management of Afghanistan and eliminated the earlier elected management backed by the West. The interim cupboard introduced by the Taliban contains high-profile members of the rebel group.
Several world leaders have introduced that they’ll see whether or not the Taliban fulfills its guarantees to the worldwide neighborhood on points resembling an inclusive Afghan authorities and human rights earlier than giving diplomatic recognition to their regime.
Women collect to demand their rights beneath Taliban rule throughout a protest in Kabul. (Photo: AP)
Senator Tellis stated the Taliban is a terrorist group with an extended historical past of torturing and killing Afghans and offering secure havens to al-Qaeda terrorists who carried out the 9/11 assaults.
“It is shocking that the White House would even consider giving foreign aid to the Taliban. This law would prevent this from happening by properly designating the Taliban as a terrorist organization,” he stated.
Lumis stated the Taliban has an extended file of human rights violations and terrorist actions.
“We must not hasten the failure of the Biden administration in Afghanistan by legitimizing the Taliban government. We must call the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan what it is: a state sponsor of terrorism run by a terrorist organization,” he stated.
In an interview to Fox News, Senator Lindsey Graham additionally demanded that the Taliban be designated as a terrorist group.
“If we designate them as a foreign terrorist organization under US law, which they should be, then the Haqqani network is a foreign terrorist organization, under our law the Pakistan Taliban is a foreign terrorist organization,” he stated.
“Why would not the Taliban be a international terrorist group in Afghanistan, as a result of they’re very a lot a gaggle of terrorists. So, if I’ve my method, they are going to be designated a international terrorist group, we will not legally give them a penny We will isolate them, we are going to observe any nation that empowers the Taliban.
“And I want to tell every country out there, if you give money to these people, you’re giving money to people who have American blood on their hands and 9/11 first and God allow another 9/11.” So, for those who legitimize the Taliban, you are going to have an actual drawback with the US Congress,” he stated.
At least 14 members of the Taliban’s interim authorities are on the UN Security Council’s blacklist of terrorism, together with appearing Prime Minister Mullah Hassan and each his representatives.
The Taliban had promised an “inclusive” authorities that represents Afghanistan’s advanced ethnic make-up, however the cupboard has no Hazara members. No girl has been named within the interim cupboard.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
