Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021
On April 14, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden announced the unconditional withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Afghanistan after 20 years of conflict. United States troop withdrawals led to the rapid collapse of the democratically elected Government of Afghanistan, effectively ended prospects for a negotiated settlement, threaten to reverse the hard-earned rights of Afghanistan’s women and youth, and created dangerous sanctuary space for potential terrorist attacks against the United States and allies and partners of the United States. Under the terms of the peace agreement signed by the United States and the Taliban in Doha, Qatar, on February 29, 2020, the withdrawal of the United States Armed Forces was contingent upon the Taliban upholding its commitment to a re20 duction in the levels of violence, engaging in substantive talks with the Government of Afghanistan, and adhering to certain counterterrorism guarantees. The Taliban failed to meet its commitments.
Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul, the Taliban has raided the homes of journalists and ac16 tivists, as well as members of their families, and restricted girls’ access to education and women’s abil18 ity to work.
A BILL To require the imposition of sanctions with respect to the Taliban and persons assisting the Taliban in Afghanistan, and for other purposes. The United States has invested more than $56,000,000,000 since 2002 in efforts to address profound humanitarian needs and help the people of Afghanistan, including women, girls, and religious and ethnic minorities, realize their democratic and development aspirations.
The Bill seks report on the following:
an assessment of support by state and nonstate actors, including the Government of Pakistan, for the Taliban between 2001 and 2020, including the provision of sanctuary space, financial support, intelligence support, logistics and medical support, training, equipping, and tactical, operational, or strategic direction;
an assessment of support by state and nonstate actors, including the Government of Pakistan, for the 2021 offensive of the Taliban that toppled the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, including the provision of sanctuary space, financial support, intelligence support, logistics and medical support, training, equipping, and tactical, operational, or strategic direction;
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