D-AF - European Parliament

Council of the EU press release on Taliban banning Afghan women from working for the UN_7.4.2023 (website)
Council of the EU press release on Taliban banning Afghan women from working for the UN_7.4.2023

General documents - Council of the EU: Press release on Taliban ban for Afghan women (7 April 2023) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 16:10:08 GMT

Afghanistan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on Taliban banning Afghan women from working for the UN

General documents - Statement of 11 April 2023 - Taliban must stop gender apartheid now - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:01:17 GMT

Afghanistan: Taliban must stop gender apartheid now

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"On behalf of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, I would like to strongly condemn the banning of Afghan women decides by the Taliban regime from working in the UN in Afghanistan.

This is just another brick in the wall of gender apartheid perpetrated in an exponential way and without any respect for human rights and international Treaties subscribed by Afghanistan.

I urge the regime to stop this situation now and deliver its promises immediately.

Women' continue deletion from society is outrageous; it is erasing all social progress of the last twenty years and compromising the future of Afghanistan.

Women are half of society. Promoting women's participation and ensuring gender issues are amongst key objectives of the European Parliament's approach to democracy support. This situation is aggravating the dreadful conditions of not only women and girls, but the entire Afghan society.

Humanitarian aid provided by EU has to match our principle and I call for this to be respected. Only the Taliban regime will be held responsible for aggravating the suffering it is inflicting to its citizens.

I wish to extend my sympathy to Afghan women, girls, and to all citizens that are believing in them and they are fighting to build a better society. I strongly deplore the persecution and arrests of human rights defenders, such as education rights activist Matiullah Wesa, and urge for their immediate and unconditional release. D-AF will always stand by them."

Further information

Full text of the statement of 11 April 2023

Council of the EU: Council Conclusions on Afghanistan_20 March 2023
Council of the EU press release: Council Conclusions on Afghanistan_20 March 2023

General documents - Council of the EU: Council Conclusions on Afghanistan (20 March 2023) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:53:36 GMT

EEAS Joint Ministerial Statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS: Joint Ministerial Statement on Afghanistan (8 March 2023) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 17:17:54 GMT

International Women's Day: Ministerial Statement on the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan

Press release of 2 February 2023

General documents - Joint statement of 2 February 2023 - Women in Afghanistan have become victims of gender apartheid - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Fri, 03 Feb 2023 10:20:41 GMT

Women in Afghanistan have become victims of gender apartheid

Statement by Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality Robert Biedroń and Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan Petras Auštrevičius.

"The Taliban regime in Afghanistan is reversing the progress made in the last twenty years and life in the country is becoming a misery. Half of its population - Afghan women and girls - have become victims of gender apartheid. We call once again for all gender-based restrictions on women to be lifted so that they can pursue their education, actively participate in the labour market and public life in Afghanistan. The necessary measures must be taken to combat violence against women and girls, including forced marriage and intimate partner violence, and to hold perpetrators accountable without delay; the nationwide support system for victims must be reopened.

The European Union and the rest of the world cannot accept this situation and remain silent. The UN framework needs to be used to find a solution and to facilitate the transition from the Taliban totalitarian regime towards a balanced situation that involves women and minorities in the decision-making process.

Aid to Afghanistan must continue to restore and ensure the rights of women and girls. For the sake of Afghans and for future generations, we must not allow the Taliban to further isolate the country."

Background

Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed a long list of rules and policies that comprehensively prevent women and girls from exercising their fundamental rights, including to expression, movement, work, and education.

In January, Musal Nabizada, a young former politician, was shot dead in her home. She had served as a Member of Afghanistan's democratic institutions and worked for NGOs that are against the increasing restrictions on Afghan women's rights and freedoms. In December last year, the Taliban banned women from universities, further limiting their education after already excluding girls from secondary schools last March. On 24 December, Afghan women were banned from working for NGOs, bringing the delivery of many essential services and aid to a halt.

EEAS Joint Ministerial Statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS: Joint Ministerial Statement on Afghanistan (29 December 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 18:03:53 GMT

Afghanistan: Joint Ministerial Statement on the Taliban's Ban on Women Working for National and International NGOs

EEAS High Representative Josep Borrell Statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS: Statement by High Representative Borrell on Afghanistan (25 December 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 18:03:44 GMT

Afghanistan: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell on the latest decisions by the Taliban on the participation of women in public life

EEAS Joint Foreign Ministers’ Statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS: Joint Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Afghanistan (21 December 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 18:03:36 GMT

Afghanistan: Foreign Ministers' statement on Taliban decision to ban women from universities

General documents - Statement of 19 December 2022 on taking stock of Taliban regime in 2022 - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 09:12:44 GMT

Afghanistan: Taking stock of Taliban regime in 2022

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan (D-AF), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"On behalf of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, I would like to express my sincere hopes that 2023 will be the year of change for the narrative on Afghanistan: positive developments are needed and it is time they come for the sake of the Afghan people. Afghan citizens deserve a stable and safe country, a reality-recognizing leadership and a focussed international community.

D-AF will work for this agenda and will support initiatives aiming at improving education, especially re-opening schools for girls, supporting press freedom and backing a sound respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly those of the minorities.

The Delegation I have the honour to Chair is deeply concerned over the situation of Afghanistan under the current Taliban regime. Together with all devoted EP bodies, we have repeatedly denounced and condemned, through different parliamentary activities and resolutions, the deterioration of human rights all along 2022. Just to name few examples, let me deplore particularly the condition of women and girls, whose education and public life have been severely limited, of children, which are often forced to early marriages, of religious minorities like Shia and Hazaras, of persecution of LGBTQIA+ and of former government employees amongst which are judges, police, armed forces, and teachers. I am personally outraged by strict return to Sharia law and reintroduction of corporal punishments.

Taliban have not kept promises to guarantee the protection, basic needs and rights of the Afghan people. The country continues to face one of the world's worst humanitarian crises with the majority of population confronted with starvation. Reoccurring terrorist attacks also demonstrate the failure in delivering public safety and security.

Over the past year, the Taliban has proved not to be reliable and their regime cannot be recognised by democratic minded countries. The five EU conditions for any future engagement with the Taliban remain relevant and should be seriously considered by the regime.

As Chair of the D-AF, I call for the European Union and its Member States to continue supporting the Afghan people by increasing the scale and efficiency of humanitarian support, by continuously advocating for women's rights, their education and inclusion in the public life and workforce. Similar support is needed to minorities and persons at risk, including issuance of humanitarian visas.

In order to prevent a complete loss of the achievements over past 20 years in Afghanistan, I advocate for a regional approach and sound international cooperation to reach an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and post-conflict reconstruction as the only credible path to inclusive, long-term peace, security and development.

I also welcome the resumption of the investigation by the International Criminal Court into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Afghanistan and call on the EU to support this process. The Taliban regime must be held accountable, including for gender-based genocide.

Whereas we strongly condemn the current Taliban regime, we keep standing by the Afghan people. We express our hope for reversing the Taliban's suppressive policies and pursuing much-needed reforms for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, for which we remain committed to working together."

Further information

Full text of the statement of 19 December 2022

EEAS Spokeswoman Statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS Spokeswoman Statement on the public execution in Farah (7 December 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 09:22:23 GMT

Afghanistan: Statement by the Spokeswoman on the public execution in Farah

European Parliament resolution of 24 November 2022 on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the deterioration of women’s rights and attacks against educational institutions (2022/2955(RSP))

General documents - Afghanistan: Deterioration of women’s rights and attacks against educational institutions (24 November 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 11:25:04 GMT

On Thursday 24 November 2022, the European Parliament adopted resolution on the respect for human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the deterioration of women's rights and attacks against educational institutions

The staggering regression in women and girls' rights under the Taliban qualifies as gender apartheid, warn MEPs. They call on Afghanistan's de facto authorities to ensure that women can again actively participate in public life. Parliament deeply regrets that, since the Taliban takeover, access to information has become increasingly difficult, journalistic independence has been curtailed, and civil society organisations have been subjected to increasing pressure.

Finally, MEPs ask the EU to establish a long-term strategy on Afghanistan in light of the current situation and the failure of the Taliban to deliver on any of their initial promises.

The resolution was adopted by 532 votes in favour, 8 against with 25 abstentions.

EEAS Spokesperson Statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS Spokesperson Statement on Afghanistan (14 November 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 15:22:13 GMT

Afghanistan: Statement by the Spokesperson on further limitations to women's rights

EEAS Spokesperson Statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS Spokesperson Statement on EU’s engagement in Afghanistan (14 August 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:26:43 GMT

Afghanistan: Statement by the Spokesperson on EU's engagement

European Commission DG ECHO news article (webpage)

General documents - Afghanistan: EU mobilises €1 million in humanitarian assistance (23 June 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 10:45:05 GMT

Afghanistan: EU mobilises €1 million in humanitarian assistance following devastating earthquake

In response to the powerful earthquake that struck southern Afghanistan early morning of 22 June, the European Commission is allocating €1 million in humanitarian funding to address the most urgent needs of affected Afghans.

EEAS joint statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS joint statement by HR/VP Borrell and Commissioner Lenarčič (22 June 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 09:01:44 GMT

Afghanistan earthquake: Statement by High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič.

General documents - Statement of 22 June 2022 on devastating earthquake in Afghanistan - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 13:26:12 GMT

22-6-2022

Earthquake in Afghanistan: The European Parliament's Afghanistan Delegation stands in solidarity with Afghan people

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan (D-AF), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"The European Parliament's Afghanistan Delegation stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan following the devastating earthquake in south-eastern Afghanistan which has left hundreds of victims and injured people.

We are saddened by the intense magnitude of this tragic calamity and continued aftershocks overnight and into this morning.

The Afghanistan Delegation extends deepest sympathy to the citizens, particularly to those in the affected area who have experienced the damage and devastation first-hand.

It is distressing that the Afghan people who since Taliban takeover are facing acute hunger, restrictions on fundamental freedoms and human rights, diminished public services, including medical and educational services, and the economic collapse, are being exposed to more hardship.

We offer our condolences to families and friends who have lost loved ones.

We call for concerted humanitarian action at the international level to bring immediate relief to the people in need and to continue assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Our hearts and our thoughts stand with the Afghan people."

Further information

Full text of the statement of 22 June 2022

EEAS Press Team (webpage)

General documents - EEAS - G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on situation of women and girls (12 May 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Thu, 12 May 2022 17:03:26 GMT

Afghanistan: G7 Foreign Ministers' Statement on the situation of women and girls

EEAS Spokesperson Statement (webpage)

General documents - EEAS Spokesperson statement on Afghanistan (22 April 2022) - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 09:00:10 GMT

Afghanistan: Statement by the Spokesperson on the latest attacks across the country

General documents - Statement of 20 April 2022 on deadly attack on a boys’ school in Kabul’s Hazara Shia district - Delegation for relations with Afghanistan

Thu, 21 Apr 2022 09:45:55 GMT

20-4-2022

Afghanistan: Deadly attack on a boys' school in Kabul's Hazara Shia district

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"We express our deepest condolences to the victims and the families of those killed in the recent attack on the Abdul Rahim Shahid high school in Kabul. We are devastated to witness the constant deadly attacks on educational institutions in Afghanistan, targeting innocent children, teachers and school staff. Schools should be a safe place where Afghan children, both boys and girls, can get an education and learn skills that will lead them through the rest of their lives.

The Taliban, since taking power, have taken on the responsibility of providing public services to the Afghan people, which also includes public safety and security. Now is the time to deliver on their promises and to guarantee the basic right to education for all Afghan children and young people, including female students, and to protect educational institutions from recurrent terrorist attacks. As the Hazara Shiite community has been subjected to numerous unlawful attacks in recent years, special attention must be paid to their protection.

The European Union will continue to advocate for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process and an inclusive government for the benefit of all Afghan people."

Further information