Peace talks between Afghanistan’s ruling fundamentalist Taliban militia and northern opposition groups were suspended yesterday and may not resume until the two groups can agree on necessary qualifications for Islamic scholars who will create a peace agreement, according to a Washington Post article. Taliban officials are demanding that only scholars who have graduated from recognized seminaries participate in the council, while the opposition wants to include scholars from fields other than Islam. The disagreement has stalled talks which are scheduled to proceed this afternoon.
The Taliban militia group gained control of the capital city of Kabul in September, 1996. The Taliban has passed a series of decrees that violate women’s human rights, including banning access to adequate healthcare and education.
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