President Ghani Signs Decree to Release Taliban Prisoners

President Ashraf Ghani signed a release order for some Taliban prisoners under US-Taliban peace agreement.

President Ashraf Ghani signed a release order for some Taliban prisoners under US-Taliban peace agreement.
The release of 5,000 Taliban prisoners was part of US-Taliban deal signed on 29 February 2020 in Doha.

According to the decree, the prisoners released under this decree are required to make a written commitment not to return to the battlefield. Prisoners, who are released under this decree must pass biometric registration process before being released.
The release of 1,500 Taliban prisoners in good will take place from Saturday and 100 Taliban prisoners will be released each day, considering their age, health status and the length of imprisonment.
The Taliban had already agreed to release up to 1,000 prisoners from the Afghan government side.
Taliban spokesman in Doha had earlier said that they “handed over to the US team a detailed list of 5000 prisoners that none can tamper with”.

US peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said that “this will be a significant step in the peace process”.

According to President Ghani’s decree, 3,500 other Taliban prisoners will be released after the start of the inter-Afghan talks and with the condition that there will be a significant reduction in the level of violence.
However, some factions, human rights organizations, civil society, and urban slums expressed concerns over the Taliban’s commitment to reducing violence.