Britain to urge G-7 leaders to consider adopting sanctions against Taliban: report

Britain is slated to urge leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) countries to consider adopting new sanctions against the Taliban, Reuters reported.

The wire service, which spoke with two officials, reported that Britain wants the G-7 countries, which also include the United States, France, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada, to think about adopting punitive action against the Taliban if the insurgent group allows the country to foster militants or violates civilians’ human rights.

The punitive measures would reportedly take the form of either withholding aid to the country or sanctions.

The countries are scheduled to meet virtually on Tuesday regarding the current situation in Afghanistan, Reuters reported.

“I will convene G7 leaders on Tuesday for urgent talks on the situation in Afghanistan. It is vital that the international community works together to ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people to secure the gains of the last 20 years,” U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

I will convene G7 leaders on Tuesday for urgent talks on the situation in Afghanistan. It is vital that the international community works together to ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and support the Afghan people to secure the gains of the last 20 years.

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) August 22, 2021

President Biden was asked on Sunday if he supported sanctions against the Taliban.

“The answer is ‘yes.’  It depends on the conduct,” Biden told reporters in the Roosevelt Room.

Asked whether he trusted the Taliban, he quipped that he doesn’t “trust anybody, including you,” talking to the reporter who asked the question. 

“The Taliban has said — we’ll see whether they mean it or not — they’re seeking legitimacy. They’re seeking legitimacy to determine whether or not they will be recognized by other countries,” Biden said. “They have told other countries, as well as us, they don’t want us to move our diplomatic presence completely. But they — so, all of this is all just talk now. All just talk now.”

“And so, so far, the Taliban has not taken action against U.S. forces. So far, they have, by and large, followed through what they said, in terms of allowing Americans to pass through, and the like,” he added.

That seemed to contradict with what Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers during a Friday afternoon call when he acknowledged that he was “aware” that some Americans and Afghans seeking to get to the airport in Kabul “have been harassed or even beaten by the Taliban.”