2nd Vienna Conference for a Democratic Afghanistan
Date: April 24 – 26, 2023
Location: Vienna
Over 20 months into Taliban rule, Afghanistan’s plight has worsened, pushing the nation towards a profound human tragedy. The 2nd Vienna Conference, recognizing the urgent need for effective action, called for the integration of all national political, social, and intellectual forces committed to supporting peaceful resistance against the Taliban. This conference highlighted the continuous brutality of the Taliban despite the calls for change outlined in the First Vienna Conference’s declaration.
The participants resolved to uphold and expand the opposition against the Taliban by forming a Working Group to enhance coordination among resistance entities. They emphasized negotiation as the preferred solution but supported strengthening all forms of peaceful resistance due to the Taliban’s unchanging stance. The systematic exclusion of women from public life was specifically condemned as a manifestation of the Taliban’s gender apartheid. The conference also criticized the international community and the United Nations for their insufficient response to the crisis. Key actions called for included sanctions against Taliban leaders violating human rights, and support from the international community to resist the Taliban’s regime until a democratically elected government is established.