Japan calls on Afghanistan to uphold human rights

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan called Wednesday on Afghanistan’s Taliban administration to uphold human rights during talks in Tokyo.

Toshihide Ando, head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau, hosted an informal "exchange of views,” according to a ministry statement.

The meeting was attended by a delegation of senior Taliban officials including Deputy Minister of Economy Latif Nazari.

Tokyo urged Kabul to "consider the voice of the Afghan people" during the talks, said the statement.

Nazari in return said the Afghan people desire “strong, friendly and deep relations with Japan,” noting that Tokyo has “never interfered in Afghanistan's internal affairs and will not do so in the future,” according to a letter sent to Kyodo News.

Top officials from Afghanistan arrived in Japan on Tuesday, marking their first visit to the country since their return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

The Taliban retook control of the country after foreign forces led by the US withdrew in 2021.

Japan had temporarily relocated its diplomatic mission to the Qatari capital Doha after the Taliban’s return.

But Japanese diplomats held regular meetings with Taliban officials and now operate its mission from the capital Kabul.

Japan has provided aid to the Taliban administration worth millions of dollars.