Russia's Supreme Court raises terrorist status for Afghanistan's Taliban

Russia's Supreme Court raises terrorist status for Afghanistan's Taliban

Moscow - On Thursday, the Supreme Court of Russia raised the ban on the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan, a group that has been classified as a terrorist organization for over two decades.

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diplomatic relationships and case law

Despite the ban, Delegations of the Taliban have participated in various forums organized by Russia because Moscow would like to strengthen its role as a regional mediator. The court ruling at the request of the General Prosecutor's office followed the adoption of a law last year, which provides that the official classification as a terrorist organization can be exposed to.

historical context and geopolitical considerations

The Soviet Union waged a ten -year war in Afghanistan, which ended in 1989 with the withdrawal of the Soviet troops. Russian officials are increasingly emphasizing the need to work with the Taliban to stabilize Afghanistan. In recent years, the Central Asian countries Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan have deleted the Taliban from their lists of terrorist groups.

restrictions and international reactions

The Taliban initially had a more moderate rule than promised during their first term from 1996 to 2001, but began to enforce restrictions for women and girls soon after taking power in 2021. Women are excluded from most professions and public locations, including parks, baths and gyms, while girls are excluded from the sixth grade school attendance.

global isolation and auxiliary care

Such measures have isolated the Taliban on the international stage, although its government has built diplomatic relationships with countries such as China and the United Arab Emirates. This year, the UN renewed its call to lift the bans of Taliban. The measures that limit the participation of girls and women also have an impact on foreign help for the country. In addition, the Taliban have reintroduced their strict interpretation of Islamic law, the Sharia, including public executions.

international engagements and new perspectives

Some Taliban members strive for more commitment to the international community and want to give up harder guidelines in order to receive more support from outside. In the past few months there have been increased contacts between the Taliban and the USA under President Donald Trump, especially in connection with prisoner exchange and discontinuation. Ibraheem Bahiss, a high-ranking analyst of the Asia Program of the Crisis Group, expressed that the Taliban classification as a terrorist organization was a legal disability for trade and political relationships with Kabul. The abolition of this classification reflects Moscow's desire to improve relationships.

conclusion on the decision of the Supreme Court

"However, I am not sure what other essential advantages this brings with it, apart from the fact that it makes it easier for individuals and companies to interact with Afghanistan," said Bahiss. The Southeast Asia analyst Michael Kugelman noticed that the Russian step was not groundbreaking, since many countries never formally classified the Taliban as a terrorist organization. Nevertheless, he described the decision as a "profit for both sides", since it acts as a trust formation that could pave the way for a stronger commitment.

protection of Russian interests

Kugelman explained that it would help Russia better protect its interests in Afghanistan, in particular concern about anti-Russian terrorist groups such as the Islamic State Khorasan. "For the Taliban, on the other hand, the decision of the court is a result that strengthens its legitimacy and can be seen as an indication of the international acceptance of its rule," said Kugelman.