The European Union, at a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, stated that sustainable peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan can only be achieved through an inclusive, national, and Afghan-led political process one that ensures the effective participation of all segments of society, particularly women.
The EU described the ongoing Taliban restrictions on women and the systematic violation of their rights as a serious and concerning issue, warning that these actions could be examined under the Rome Statute as “gender persecution” and “crimes against humanity.”
The European Union also strongly condemned recent decrees issued by the Taliban leader, related to criminal procedures and laws concerning marital separation, stating that these decrees violate the principles of equality before the law, the right to a fair trial, freedom of religion and belief, and the rights of women and children.
The statement called on the Taliban to repeal all restrictive laws and policies and to align their governance with Afghanistan’s international obligations, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
The EU emphasized the need for justice for victims of human rights violations and described the establishment and funding of an independent investigative mechanism for Afghanistan as an important step. This mechanism collects evidence related to war crimes and human rights violations and preserves it for future judicial proceedings.
The statement also highlighted the protection of the rights of ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities, particularly the Hazara community, and stressed the importance of freedom of expression, independent media activity, and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance.
The European Union reiterated that Afghanistan’s future stability and prosperity depend on the creation of an inclusive political structure, while the Taliban have rejected such calls, describing them as interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
