Joint
Statement on Afghanistan
We the undersigned
Marxist Leninist Organisations of India, Iran and Pakistan welcome
the expulsion of U.S. occupation forces from Afghanistan. We
oppose the aggression and occupation of countries under any
pretext whether, “humanitarian” or “revolutionary” and we consider
the nature of colonial aggression and occupation, in whatever form
it takes, as reactionary.
The U.S. occupation of Afghanistan did not bring about democracy
or emancipation of women and instead through intensive U.S. and
NATO military operations harmed all sections of society except
their puppets. It is does not make sense to talk about
democratisation of society and the liberation of women when the
country is occupied by imperialist forces.
The people of Afghanistan persistently fought imperialist
occupation whether by the revisionist erstwhile USSR or the USA.
In Afghanistan, U.S. imperialism has suffered a catastrophic
defeat that has strategic consequences for the people of the world
and especially of the region. This defeat and expulsion of
occupation forces of USA from the region is in the interest of the
people and the development of their countries. The return of peace
to Afghanistan will enable refugees presently living in the
neighbouring countries to return their homes.
The regime that emerged from these struggles, the Taliban, is not
a puppet of the United States of America, contrary to the views of
conspiracy theorists. In its long negotiations with the United
States, the Taliban has always called for the withdrawal of the
United States from Afghanistan and has never agreed to negotiate
with the U.S. installed puppet regimes in Afghanistan. The
attempts to establish relations with the United States and
European countries does not make the Taliban a puppet regime.
It is at the same time important to recognise that the Taliban has
historically been based on religious fundamentalism, which is
against democracy and especially rights of women and ethnic and
religious minorities.
Afghanistan has a small number of urban centres, but the economic
structure of Afghanistan society is mainly tribal in which the
relations of feudal production and herding prevail. The culture
that governs people’s lives is tribal and feudal in nature
drawing inspiration from religion. Fighting the backwardness of
Afghanistan requires preserving the territorial integrity and
national sovereignty; the broad participation of women in the
political, economic and cultural institutions of society;
resolving the question of land reform, and recognizing the rights
of nationalities, etc.
Calling a Constituent Assembly based on universal adult suffrage
with adequate representation of all sections of the society
including women and minorities to draft a democratic constitution
is the precondition for ensuring independence, ethnic unity,
democracy, peace and just development in Afghanistan.
The presence of imperialist forces in Afghanistan was a barrier to
progress and development in Afghanistan and the region. Recent
developments have freed Afghanistan from the grip of the occupying
forces. This is a great achievement for the people of Afghanistan.
We support any effort in Afghanistan to form a national and united
government, to create security in the region that prevents the
growth and strengthening of imperialist-sponsored terrorism, to
strengthen the friendship between the nations of the neighbours
and of the region, and so on.
The expulsion of the occupation forces and Afghanistan’s
neighbourhood with several countries can create a good ground for
the positive influence of the countries of the region in
Afghanistan. The government of Afghanistan can use the experiences
and resources of Pakistan, India, Iran, Russia, and China to
develop the country. Foreign investment in Afghanistan can be
positive for the growth and development of the country provided
that it does not violate the national and strategic interests of
Afghanistan and does not have a neo-colonial character. Opposing
colonial domination does not mean opposing economic relations, nor
does it mean forbidding foreign investment in the country. It is
imperative to promote friendly relations between the people and
the governments of the region based on principles of equality and
non-interference and mutual cooperation.
We, the communists, together with the revolutionary and
progressive forces of the world, defend the struggle of the
Afghanistani people for the right to self-determination, the right
to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and good
neighbourliness. We oppose any intervention by the imperialist
forces in Afghanistan and in the fate of its people. We defend the
struggle of the communists and the revolutionary and democratic
forces of Afghanistan for democratic rights, freedom of
association, freedom of expression, women’s freedom, modern
universal education and healthcare.
Organisation ‘Revolutionary Democracy’, India.
Party of Labour (Toufan), Iran.
Pakistan Mazdoor Mahaz.
24th January 2022.
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