The Fifth Vienna Conference on Afghanistan, held on 18–19 February 2025 in Vienna, Austria, marked one of the most significant gatherings of Afghan political, civil, and resistance movements since the fall of the republic in 2021. Bringing together more than 90 representatives, including political leaders, military commanders, civil society activists, women’s rights advocates, and members of the diaspora, the conference demonstrated a growing determination to build a united, democratic, and inclusive future for Afghanistan.

The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) participated actively in this conference. NRF leadership emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive national strategy to counter ongoing oppression, human rights violations, and the dismantling of Afghanistan’s democratic institutions under Taliban rule. The conference provided an important platform for presenting the NRF’s vision for liberty, pluralism, and the restoration of national sovereignty.

A Roadmap for the Future of Afghanistan

A major achievement of the Fifth Vienna Conference was the approval of a political roadmap for Afghanistan’s future. This roadmap outlines core principles for a post-Taliban Afghanistan, including:

• The establishment of a decentralized democratic government

• Guaranteed fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens

• Protection of women’s rights, including access to education, work, and public life

• A governance system based on pluralism, accountability, and national representation

• Commitment to an Afghanistan free from extremism, discrimination, and authoritarian rule

To guide the implementation of this roadmap, participants agreed to form a 19-member National Commission tasked with drafting policy frameworks, coordinating political dialogue, and preparing structures for a future democratic transition.

Human Rights and the Rights of Women at the Center

Throughout the conference, participants expressed deep concern regarding the severe human rights crisis in Afghanistan. Representatives highlighted the systematic elimination of women from education, employment, and public life—policies that have turned Afghanistan into the world’s only gender-apartheid regime.

The conference reaffirmed that women’s rights are non-negotiable and must form the foundation of any future political order. The NRF underscored that a free and peaceful Afghanistan cannot exist without the full participation of women in all spheres of society.

A Call for Unity Against Oppression

The Fifth Vienna Conference stressed the importance of unity among all anti-Taliban groups, regardless of ethnicity, ideology, or political background. Participants agreed that only through coordinated political, diplomatic, and—when necessary—defensive resistance can the Afghan people reclaim their rights and restore national sovereignty.

The NRF reiterated its commitment to working alongside all forces seeking a democratic and just Afghanistan. The front emphasized that resistance is not merely a military effort but a comprehensive struggle involving political engagement, community mobilization, and international advocacy.

A Message to the Afghan People and the International Community

The outcomes of the conference delivered a clear message:

• The Afghan people have not accepted the Taliban’s rule.

• A broad and diverse coalition is actively working to shape a better future.

• Afghanistan deserves a government rooted in democracy, justice, and human dignity.

The NRF calls on the international community to support the Afghan people’s legitimate struggle for freedom and to recognize the urgent need for a political framework that restores peace and stability to the country.

Conclusion

The Fifth Vienna Conference represents a crucial step toward building a unified national vision for Afghanistan. By approving the future roadmap, forming a 19-member commission, and reaffirming support for human rights and women’s rights, the conference demonstrated that the path to a democratic Afghanistan is both possible and actively underway.

The National Resistance Front remains committed to working with all Afghans who believe in liberty, sovereignty, and justice. Together, we will continue the struggle to secure a future where every Afghan can live in dignity, equality, and peace.