US Representative Calls Efforts to Legitimize Taliban Dangerous and Reckless

US Representative Nancy Mace has reiterated her opposition to any recognition of the Taliban, describing the group as a terrorist organization and labeling legitimization efforts reckless and dangerous.

Mace reintroduced the Preventing the Recognition of Terrorist States Act. The bill would designate the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organization, classify their government as a state sponsor of terrorism, and bar all US federal agencies from recognizing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The South Carolina Republican first introduced the measure last year and has resumed efforts to advance it in Congress. She noted that Russia is the only country to have officially recognized the Taliban administration since August 2021.

The Taliban have imposed extensive restrictions on women and girls, including bans on secondary and university education and limits on employment. These policies have been criticized by the United Nations and human rights institutions.