US Special Envoy to Afghanistan Thomas West met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaki in Doha.

West said in a social media statement after the meeting that “there has been a united international resistance to the ongoing and growing restrictions on the rights and roles of women and girls and their role in society”, emphasizing that “girls must go back to school, that women must enjoy freedom movement and work “without restrictions, in order to make progress in the normalization of relations.”

He pointed out that “economic stability in Afghanistan, fears of attacks on civilians and the recent dissolution of important institutions” were also discussed, noting that “the dialogue will continue in support of the Afghan people and our national interests.”

Since returning to power last year, the Taliban have imposed a large number of restrictions on society, most of which restrict the rights of women and girls. Earlier this month, the movement’s supreme leader, Hebatullah Akhundzadeh, ordered women to walk fully in public places, including covering their faces with the traditional veil.

Afghanistan is in an economic crisis after various countries froze its assets deposited abroad and withdrew aid.