Qatar has urged the international community to increase financial and technical assistance for humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for sustainable development and long-term peace to improve living conditions in the country, according to Amu.

Speaking in Geneva, Mishal Al Mansouri, third secretary at the Human Rights Department of Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called on global leaders to ensure a dignified life for the Afghan people. He highlighted Qatar’s continued commitment to Afghanistan, particularly through mediation efforts and its role in hosting three meetings of special envoys on Afghanistan under the auspices of the United Nations.

“Qatar remains steadfast in incorporating human rights issues into these discussions, particularly by advocating for Afghan women’s participation in the peace process and ensuring their access to education and equal employment opportunities,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry stated.

Al Mansouri also stressed Qatar’s initiatives to support Afghan women, including the Women in Conflict Zones program under the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD). In December, QFFD launched the second phase of a program to sustain the livelihoods of Afghan weavers and craftspeople, aiming to enhance economic empowerment and resilience.

In addition, he noted that in October 2024, Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia to provide scholarships for Afghan students, helping young men and women pursue higher education and contribute to a more stable future.

Qatar has played a key diplomatic role in Afghanistan, facilitating international dialogue and calling for greater global engagement in humanitarian efforts.

Earlier, Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, has been named the world’s most authoritarian country in the 2024 Democracy Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Ranking last out of 167 nations for the second consecutive year, it scored just 0.25 out of 10.

The index assesses electoral processes, civil liberties, government functionality, political participation, and political culture. Afghanistan received a score of 0.0 in four of these five categories, reflecting the absence of elections, severe restrictions on freedoms, centralized Taliban control, and lack of political engagement. The only category with a score above zero was political culture (1.25), highlighting the rejection of democratic principles under Taliban governance.