Ms. Sara Sorkhabi a member of the High Peace Council and Mishrano Jirga discusses her uniquely optimistic views regarding possible negotiations with the Taliban in an interview with Jawad Naji of Afghanistan Watch.

Afghanistan Watch: Many members of High Council for Peace are anti-Taliban leaders who were involved in fighting against the Taliban directly or indirectly. Do you think the Taliban will accept an offer of peace by these people?

Sorkhabi: Everybody must try to bring peace; those who are discontented and fighting and those who were involved in fighting in the past. Those insurgents are fighting in the provinces have their relatives working in the Afghan government. Someone who is fighting in the ranks of Taliban, his brother is minister; his cousin is a senator or an official in the Afghan government. If one is with the Taliban the other 10 is working in the Afghan government. They are the branches of the same tree.

Afghanistan Watch: Who are the discontented people in your view?

Sorkhabi: Those people are the angry ones who are in some ways dissatisfied with the government and took weapon to fight the government. Maybe they were deceived by the Al-Qaida. They are our brothers and part of this land. They are from our nation, tribe and are our beloved ones. We cannot call them enemy because they are also Afghan like us.

Afghanistan Watch: But these anti-government forces are accused to have committed crimes. How do you see this issue?

Sorkhabi: They have not committed any crime! (Laughing). What crimes for example? Both sides have attacked on each other and both suffered losses. They are Afghans and from Afghanistan. They carry out suicide bombings because they have their particular objectives.

Afghanistan Watch: During their Imarat-Islami, the Taliban showed that they are against democracy, human rights and political pluralism. What do you think that what will happen to these values if Taliban accept negotiation?

Sorkhabi: Taliban and human rights (organizations) are working for peace and stability. Their ultimate goal is the same and they have no animosity with the objectives of the people.

Afghanistan Watch: we know that Taliban are against the freedom of women in social and political arenas. What is your stance as a woman and a member of High Council for Peace?

Sorkhabi: They are no more against woman working outside if obeying the Islamic Hijab. The Taliban are no more narrow-minded but modernized. Even they say that the schools must be opened. I favor Islamic Hijab. I don’t want that any girl or female comes out of her house without observing Hijab. Taliban also favor this issue that women work outside in the framework of Islamic Sharia Law.

Afghanistan Watch: in some provinces the Taliban threw acid on the female students and harmed them. In practice when they were in power, they were against women working in the social and political areas.

Sorkhabi: There are some fundamentalist in this group. However, the general viewpoint of Taliban is no longer against women. There are some people in this group that carry out these activities to harm the reputation of the Taliban.

Afghanistan Watch: Tabliban are accused of many crimes and what is the viewpoint of High Peace Council about those whose rights are violated by the Taliban?

Sorkhabi: We forgive them and the High Council also believes in forgiveness. The government also favors the same thing. We must forget the past and work for a new future in which we strengthen peace, employment opportunities for women and widows and the family of martyred and orphans.

Afghanistan Watch: It means you want the victims of Taliban to forgive them?

Sorkhabi: we do not have a particular enemy in the ranks of the Taliban. Amongst thousands of Taliban fighters we cannot find a particular one as our enemy. Many of those who carried these atrocities are killed and are no more alive. Insha-Allah the High Council for Peace will not take revenge but it will work towards ending the conflict. War is enough and we fought for 30-34 years. Our children grew in a war situation.

Afghanistan Watch: You said that there are thousands of Taliban fighters and we don’t know which one is responsible for beheading. Then who are going to negotiate with?

Sorkhabi: We will negotiate with the Taliban who are still fighting. We call for forgiveness and ask them to come to the negotiation table and stop fighting so that the remaining people of Afghanistan live in a peaceful condition.

Afghanistan Watch: If negotiation takes place and there would be no trials then what guarantees that Taliban may not repeat their atrocities?

Sorkhabi: The Taliban and the High Council for Peace will guarantee. I don’t say that the Taliban are alone and they have no tribe or relative. Their relatives are working in the ministries, public institutions, schools and parliament. We will propose these issues in the meetings and we will get the commitment of Taliban not to repeat their atrocities.

Afghanistan Watch: so you mean that some of the Taliban are in the government and some of them are fighting against government?

Sorkhabi: There might be some of them resisting from inside Afghanistan against government. The government of Afghanistan has done much during past nine years to strengthen democracy, human rights and women’s rights in the country. Schools, universities, offices and even parliament are open for women and girls. However, our internal enemies on the other side create hurdles in our ways and try to stop the government’s initiatives. We must meet together with all and find a solution.

Afghanistan Watch: if those who committed crimes are taken to the courts to be prosecuted?

Sorkhabi: Court for which people?

Afghanistan Watch: For those who committed crimes?

Sorkhabi: If we try those who committed crimes we will create another anarchy in the country. Which one of them should be prosecuted? It is difficult to find one person in 100 people. Our government believes to strengthen the culture of forgiveness to reach a peaceful solution.

Afghanistan Watch: To what extent the people of Afghanistan and the media are aware of the activities of the High Peace Council?

Sorkhabi: The people are aware of our activities and they are always in contact. The media also filmed our official meetings and conduct interviews every often. They are in contact with us.

Afghanistan Watch: To what extent the High Peace Council reflects the desire and demands of the people?

Sorkhabi: You ask a lot of questions (Laughing). I told you before that the experts are members of High Council for Peace. No one came here with less experience. All the members are backed by the people.

Afghanistan Watch: the members of Afghan civil society are concerned about the formation of High Council for Peace? In your view how valid are their concerns?

Sorkhbai: The civil society is our partners and there are 3 women from the Afghan civil society in the Council. Peace belongs to civil society and it comes with them. We cooperate with each other and we work together.

Afghanistan Watch: What will be the fate of Afghanistan’s constitution, women rights and minorities in the country during this peace dialogue?

Sorkhabi: I told you before that the women’s right is our top priority. We will try to make them agree on this point. All the problems will be solved and without any direct contact with them in order to reach a solution on these issues we will not proceed.

Afghanistan Watch: You are confident that they will accept the constitution, human rights and the participation of minorities?

Sorkhabi: They will inshallah. They are part of this society. We will try to find a just solution.

Afghanistan Watch: Don’t you have any worries about the process of peace with the Taliban?

Sorkhabi: I told you that Taliban are our brothers. We are ready to reach an agreement with our Afghan brothers. Why should I have worries? Can one have fear from his brothers?

Afghanistan Watch: Then you are confident that the process of negotiation will go smoothly without any problems?

Sorkhabi: I believe yes with the support of God almighty. I am hopeful that they will accept.

Afghanistan Watch: What are the challenges that the High Council for Peace confronts in the process of negotiation with the Taliban?

Sorkhabi: There are many challenges now. These challenges will be solved by keeping patience and understanding.

Afghanistan Watch: what are the challenges?

Sorkhabi: The security situation in the provinces is not good. When the security situation becomes better then the process of peace talks will be easier.

Afghanistan Watch: Has the High Council for Peace been able to establish any contact with the Taliban yet?

Sorkhabi: I think there have been some contacts. They are not cut off and have contacts.