Members of the Afghan Taliban are holding talks with Western officials in Oslo, Norway. This is the first time the Taliban have held talks in Europe since taking control of Afghanistan. This information was given in the report of BBC online on Monday.
The talks are expected to last for three days. The talks will focus on the human rights situation in Afghanistan and the humanitarian crisis.
The United Nations says 95 percent of Afghans do not have enough to eat.
There have been several protests in Europe over the talks. Critics say the Taliban should not be rewarded by negotiations. Taliban members held a meeting with human rights activists in Norway on Sunday. However, details of what was discussed at the meeting were not disclosed.
Feminist activist Jamila Afghani told AFP that the negotiators had shown goodwill.
Today is considered to be the most important day for Taliban members to hold talks with Western officials. The Taliban may request access to billions of dollars from Afghanistan in US banks.
Unemployment has risen sharply in Afghanistan. Food prices have risen. The country's currency is depreciating. Banks have set limits on cash withdrawals.
The United Nations has warned that 55 percent of Afghanistan's population is at risk of starvation. Taliban spokesman Shafiullah Adam told an international news agency: "We have requested that their (Western) Afghan assets be released. I have asked not to punish ordinary Afghans for political reasons.
"Because of the famine, because of the severe winter, I think it's time for the international community to support the Afghans," said Shafiullah Adam. Not to punish them due to political disputes.
Western ambassadors are expected to emphasize a more inclusive Taliban government and human rights.
After taking power, the Taliban is telling most women workers to stay at home. Secondary schools are open only to male students and male teachers. Several women have been targeted by the Taliban for speaking out against the move. Some of them are now reported missing. However, the Taliban has denied any involvement in the incidents.
Human rights activists and journalists have also been targeted since the Taliban came to power.
So far, no country has recognized the Taliban government.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Aiken Whitfield said the meeting did not represent the legitimacy or recognition of the Taliban.
"But we must actually talk to the country's authorities," said the Norwegian foreign minister.
The European Union (EU) recently announced the resumption of a "minimum presence" in the Afghan capital, Kabul, to facilitate humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. "Our minimal presence in Kabul should in no way be seen as a recognition of the Taliban government," said Peter Stano, the EU's foreign affairs spokesman, in a statement.
Kabul fell on 15 August. With the fall of Kabul, power in Afghanistan fell to the Taliban for the second time. The Taliban announced the formation of an interim government the following month.
Western nations have suspended international aid to Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power. Restricts access to the country's overseas assets. That is why the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is so serious.
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