MP Letter on helping to normalise the situation of Afghan women
Afghan assets and the position of women
Dear [MP name]
As your constituent, I am deeply concerned about the terrible situation of women in Afghanistan, and I would be grateful if you could ask the Foreign Office to consider the following suggestion.
It is well known that the Taliban government has subjected the female population of Afghanistan to an extreme regime of restrictions which is not acceptable in terms of human rights.
It is clear that the violence cannot be used to compel the Taliban to change their policies.
Therefore the international community must use non-violent persuasion to bring about the liberation of Afghan women.
The USA holds $7 billion and Switzerland another $3.5 billion of frozen holds Afghan assets which were seized in August 2021 upon the collapse of the Afghanistan Republic.
The Taliban need those assets to be returned the central bank of Afghanistan, the DAB, not least so that the people of Afghanistan can work to undo the malnutrition that is affecting much of the country.
A plan needs to be put forward that matches the phased return of these assets to the phased liberation of women. There would be a number, say ten, phases, beginning perhaps with provision of education to Afghan girls, and in return the government of Afghanistan would receive one tenth of their assets.
There would of course be rigorous assessments made to ensure that all aspects of the bargain are adhered to, so that the assets are applied to essential needs of the Afghan people rather than to the military or personal accounts of the Afghan regime.
Please ask the Foreign Office if they are willing to give careful and sympathetic consideration to this proposal.
Many thanks
