By Asif Shahzad

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi said on Friday he found that the Taliban have space for discussion and engagement on human rights issues, including women and minorities rights.

Grandi stated to reporters that there is room for dialogue and engagement on these topics after concluding his tour of Afghanistan.

Grandi said, “I find that encouraging.”

Numerous countries and groups have called on international organizations to work with the Taliban, despite increasing reports of violations of civil and human rights.

Grandi also urged the international community not to stop engaging with Taliban to “save Afghanistan from destruction and stabilize the region.”

Many women-led street protests have been stopped since the Taliban took control on August 15. People were beaten and detained. Taliban promised to investigate.

From 1996 to 2001 when the Taliban were at their last power, they imposed strict Islamic law. They punished anyone with public floggings or amputations.

The Taliban severely limited women’s rights to education and work.

The Taliban attempted to communicate conciliatory messages since they retook power but the future is uncertain for many.

Will they let women work? What about girls going to school? “How will they deal with minorities?” Grandi added that these were the issues, which are amongst the concern of the international community.