EVOLVING NORMS OF GOVERNMENT RECOGNITION: THE CASE OF THE TALIBAN IN AFGHANISTAN

This paper examines the evolving landscape of government recognition in international law. Traditionally based on effectiveness, contemporary trends suggest emerging criteria, including gender equality, counter-terrorism efforts, and inclusive governance. The Taliban regime in Afghanistan, with its gender-based discrimination and ties to terrorism, serves as a case study. The international community’s near-unanimous refusal to recognize the Taliban highlights a potential shift towards non-recognition in cases of severe human rights abuses. The paper analyses the legal implications and explores the possibility of conditional recognition as a tool to incentivize compliance with international norms.