KABUL (SW) – The de-facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected recent statements made by Iran’s ambassador and special representative for Afghanistan regarding alleged ethnic and linguistic ‘discrimination’ in the country.
The ministry’s officials emphasized that the Islamic Emirate does not practice discrimination against Afghan citizens.
In a recent report, Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran’s ambassador and special envoy for Afghanistan, claimed that the Islamic Emirate fosters ethnic, religious, and linguistic discrimination. In an interview with an Iranian media outlet, he highlighted that this approach exacerbates Afghanistan’s challenges and called for its end.
Kazemi Qomi also pointed out the global pressures facing the Islamic Emirate, saying that its current policies—particularly concerning women—have complicated its interactions with the international community.
In response, the Islamic Emirate foreign affairs ministry spokesperson asserted that there is “no discrimination” in Afghanistan, declaring that terrorism threats have diminished. He also highlighted advancements in the regime’s relations with other countries over the past three years.
Zia Ahmad Takal, deputy spokesperson for the ministry, said, “The Islamic Emirate sees all Afghans as its citizens and cannot discriminate against anyone. The rights of all citizens are protected, and the official stance of the Islamic Emirate is that ethnic, sectarian, and linguistic discrimination is of no value.”
Kazemi Qomi further urged the Islamic Emirate to form an inclusive government; a request that has been echoed multiple times by the international community, particularly by neighboring countries.
