Taliban aims to reassure on women's rights and revenge fears, as NGOs call for refugee places

During the group's first reign, the world was horrified by public stonings, amputations, and other acts of barbarism perpetrated on Afghan citizens

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, center, leaves after his first news conference, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. Mujahid vowed Tuesday that the Taliban would respect women's rights, forgive those who resisted them and ensure a secure Afghanistan as part of a publicity blitz aimed at convincing world powers and a fearful population that they have changed. Picture: AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

Women will have rights "within the framework of Islamic law", the Taliban has claimed in its first public utterances after retaking control of Afghanistan - but would not elaborate on what that meant in practice. 

The long-feared militant group, which ruled the south Asian country with an iron hand from 1996 to 2001, insisted women would "be very active within our society" but declined to say what that meant in relation to employment or dress codes in the soon-to-be established government.