The Taliban are meeting with Western officials in Oslo, Norway, to hold their first meeting in Europe since taking control of Afghanistan.
The talks, which are scheduled to last for three days, will focus on human rights and the humanitarian crisis in the country.
According to the United Nations (UN), 95 percent of the Afghan population does not have adequate access to food products.
There were also some protest demonstrations in Europe with the criticism that the Taliban were not rewarded with meetings.
Members of the Taliban met with human rights activists on Sunday, but details of that meeting were not disclosed.
Jamila Afghani, a feminist activist, told AFP news agency that the negotiators “showed goodwill” and said, “We’ll see what they do based on their words.”
It is stated that Monday will be an important day in talks for Taliban members. Indeed, the Taliban are preparing to demand access to billions of dollars frozen in US banks.
Unemployment and food prices are constantly rising in Afghanistan, while the value of the currency is falling. Banks set cash withdrawal limits.
The UN warns that hunger is a major threat to 55 percent of the population.
“We demand that Afghan assets not be frozen and ordinary Afghans not punished for political rhetoric,” Taliban delegate Saifullah Azam told the Associated Press news agency.
Reminding that there were hunger and deadly winter conditions, Azam said, “It’s time to support the Afghan people instead of punishing them for the political disagreements of the international community.”
Western delegates are expected to emphasize the importance of a more inclusive government and human rights.
After the Taliban took power, most women workers were told to stay at home. Secondary schools are open only to boys and male teachers. While many women were targeted for their anti-Taliban rhetoric, some are said to be missing. The Taliban says they were not involved in the incident.
Along with the Taliban government, human rights activists and journalists were also targeted.
Currently, no country has recognized the new Afghan government.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt said the meetings “do not imply legitimation or recognition of the Taliban”.
“But we also have to talk to the de facto authorities in the country,” Huitfeldt said.
The talks also caused a difference of opinion among Afghans. According to the news of BBC’s Lyse Doucet, some Afghans emphasized the importance of the talks, while others said that the Taliban should not be invited to European capitals as they systematically violate human rights in their countries.
Numerous protests were also held in Europe over the weekend.
Speaking to the AFP news agency in Oslo, a protester said the talks were equivalent to “smiling” Afghans who lost their families and said “Don’t talk to terrorists”.