Afghanistan: Information on whether the Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan in Washington, DC has been issuing passports to Afghan nationals since January 1996
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1997 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | AFG26035.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Afghanistan: Information on whether the Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan in Washington, DC has been issuing passports to Afghan nationals since January 1996, 1 January 1997, AFG26035.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acec8.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was obtained in a 7 January 1997 telephone interview with an official of the Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan in Washington, DC.
Since January 1996 the embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC has been open and has carried out all of the functions of an embassy, including the issuance of passports. Although Mullah Muhammad Umar of the Taliban declared shortly after the September 1996 take-over of Kabul that Afghan diplomats working abroad were no longer accredited, the embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC was not affected and continued to function as an embassy. The embassy in Washington, DC continues to recognize the Rabbani government as Afghanistan's legitimate government and does not recognize the Taliban government.
Any Afghan national who fulfills the passport requirements and prerequisites is issued a passport by the embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political affiliation.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Embassy of the Islamic State of Afghanistan, Washington, DC. 7 January 1997. Telephone interview with official.