One Struggle, Many Movements
The Opposition to the Taliban Tyranny in Afghanistan
19.02.25 / Vienna
On 19 February 2025, the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES), in cooperation with the Vienna School of International Studies (DA), the Solidarity Group of Afghanistan, the Austrian Society of Political Science, Asia Society and the International Security Society, hosted a panel discussion entitled One Struggle, Many Movements: The Opposition to the Taliban Tyranny in Afghanistan, which dealt with the current situation and the future of Afghanistan.
The event was opened by Martina Schubert (Deputy Director, Diplomatic Academy of Vienna) and Michael Zinkanell (Director, AIES).
The panel discussion centred on the precarious humanitarian and human rights situation in Afghanistan. The speakers were Manizha Bakhtari (Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Austria), Fawzia Koofi (former first female Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament), Abdullah Khenjani (former Deputy of the State Ministry of Peace), Parwana Ibrahimkhail Nejrabi (human rights activist), Nazifa Haqpal (former diplomat and doctoral candidate in law at SOAS University in London), Mansoor Hussein Ayobi (Vice President, Solidarity Group Afghanistan). The discussion was moderated by Edit Schlaffer (founder and chairwoman of Women without Borders). A particular focus was placed on the drastic restriction of the rights of girls and women since the Taliban took power.
Another key topic was the Afghan exile opposition and its role in the so-called Vienna Process, a format aimed at creating a democratic Afghanistan. The discussion highlighted the challenges of this initiative and the need for international support to bring about effective change.
The panellists also paid particular attention to the current political debate in the EU, Austria and Germany. It was emphasised that the Taliban regime should not be recognised and that a normalisation of relations must be avoided. In this context, the controversial discussions about the deportation of Afghan refugees from Germany and Austria were also discussed. According to the unanimous opinion of the panellists, these political decisions should not undermine the EU's stance towards the Taliban.
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