On Sunday, the Canadian Foreign Ministry in a statement expressed extreme disappointment regarding the absence of women’s rights advocates, religious and ethnic minorities, and human rights activists at the main Doha meeting.
The ministry stated that without the meaningful and equal participation of Afghan women in the Doha meeting, none of the goals of this meeting would be achieved.
The Canadian Foreign Ministry expressed dissatisfaction with the UN for not allowing figures independent of the Taliban to attend the main Doha meeting.
Canada considered the full, equal, and meaningful participation of Afghan women in the Doha meeting a fundamental principle for the women, peace, and security agenda and stated that achieving a peaceful, stable, and inclusive Afghanistan also depends on women's participation.
Like the United States, Canada sent a representative to Doha despite criticising the composition of the meeting participants.
The Canadian Foreign Ministry said it "consulted with Afghan civil society, human rights groups, and women to hear their concerns”.
The ministry stated that Canada will use its platform at this meeting to amplify the voices of those who have spoken out about human rights abuses committed by the Taliban but were not invited to the main event.
One of Canada's demands from the UN at the Doha meeting is the appointment of a special representative with strong expertise in human rights and gender issues to be appointed in due time.
Additionally, the special representative should be responsible for implementing the roadmap outlined in the 2023 report of the UN Special Coordinator and UN Security Council Resolution 2721.
Canada once again called for the lifting of restrictions on women and girls and their meaningful participation in Afghan society.
