Afghan Biographies
Rahimi, Mohammad Asif
Name | Rahimi, Mohammad Asif |
Ethnic backgr. | Pashtun |
Date of birth | 1959 |
Function/Grade | Ambassador to Netherland |
History and Biodata |
1. Former Ambassadors to the Netherlands:
Embassy Staff:
3. Biodata
According to the source, the president accepted the resignation of Rahimi who served as the governor of Herat from 2015 till this date. Mohammad Asif Rahimi serves as the ambassador of the previous Afghan government to the Netherlands. He previously led Care Afghanistan and held the position of Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock during Hamid Karzai’s administration. Additionally, Rahimi has a history of membership in Hizbi-Islami Gulbuddin (HIG) led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and holds Canadian citizenship. A source reports that Rahimi traveled to Kabul shortly after the Taliban’s takeover and received assurances from them to continue his mission. However, this guarantee was conditional upon his close cooperation with the Taliban. The source claims that a significant aspect of this collaboration revolves around cases related to crimes against humanity at the Hague court, where the Taliban faces accusations of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against women and girls. The source further asserts that Rahimi has actively supported the Taliban regime. He not only hopes to continue his mission but also seeks to defend and whitewash the Taliban’s image on the international stage, particularly concerning critical cases at the Hague court. This includes efforts to downplay accusations against the Taliban and obstruct international investigations into war crimes and human rights violations. Such actions suggest that Rahimi aligns himself with the interests of the Taliban regime. Another source reveals that the embassy facilitated the travel of Abdul Bari Omar, the former head of the Taliban’s judiciary, to Europe. Omar addressed a group of Afghan citizens in Germany, provoking significant reactions. Currently, the Afghan embassy in the Netherlands operates under the directives and policies of the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, providing consular services that include visa issuance, passport renewals, identity verification, inheritance pledges, travel permits, and marriage certificates. All requests for these services are sent to the Taliban’s Ministry for approval. However, in an interview Rahimi, without naming the Taliban, stated, “Some have claimed that our embassy officials have whitewashed or blackwashed individuals; this is completely baseless and a false accusation. We do not have this capability or responsibility, and we reject this claim as entirely incorrect.” Rahimi added that the embassy provides consular services to Afghan citizens in the Netherlands under Article 2 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. He explained that the first part of these services involves establishing citizens’ identities for Dutch authorities, while the second part includes sending documents, such as powers of attorney for property management and marriage licenses, to relevant agencies like the courts through the “Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan.” Regarding concerns about sharing information about consular applicants with the Taliban, Rahimi stated: “Based on administrative principles and consular regulations, we take the confidentiality of documents and applicants’ cases very seriously. No document or evidence can be shared without the applicant’s consent. Our compatriots should feel assured.” The Afghan ambassador noted that the embassy had previously issued a statement emphasizing that it only engages with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan (the Taliban) concerning consular services, stating, “Without interaction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is impossible to continue providing services.” He also mentioned that the Afghan embassy is active in facilitating and coordinating international aid for the Afghan people. However, since the Netherlands does not currently recognize the “ruling authorities or caretaker government” (the Taliban regime), the embassy’s political section is “suspended.” Rahimi urges officials from other Afghan representations to employ what he calls “diplomatic skills and political insight” in their mandates to prevent the closure of political and consular representation avenues in Afghanistan and to ensure citizens continue to receive consular services. Addressing allegations of attempts to lift Taliban restrictions at the Hague court, he said: “Following the fall of the republic system, our relations with the Hague court have become very limited. Since the court announced it would begin investigating war crimes in Afghanistan, they have not contacted the Afghan embassy at all. I am confident that evidence and reports of war crimes and humanitarian violations are being collected independently and within their jurisdiction. According to the Rome Statute, member countries have no right to intervene in the court’s judicial proceedings, and no individual or entity can obstruct the court’s investigations.” Rahimi expresses his support for implementing justice in national and international courts in Afghanistan and emphasizes that those who have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, and devastated the country should one day be held accountable. |
Last Modified | 2025-01-04 |
Established | 2009-10-09 |