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EU Holds Talks with Taliban on Migrant Returns Amid Rights Concerns
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EU Holds Talks with Taliban on Migrant Returns Amid Rights Concerns

From RTÉ News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The EU held talks with Taliban officials in Brussels regarding the return of failed asylum-seekers to Afghanistan.
  • Rights advocates and figures like Malala Yousafzai criticized the meeting, citing human rights concerns and potential risks to Afghans.
  • The EU defended the engagement as necessary for deporting individuals deemed dangerous or who have committed crimes, while the Taliban sought broader consular cooperation.

The European Union has engaged in unprecedented talks with Taliban officials in Brussels, focusing on increasing the return of failed asylum-seekers to Afghanistan. This meeting, a follow-up to discussions held in Kabul in January, involved representatives from the European Commission and 15 EU member states. The EU stated the technical-level meeting was necessary to deport individuals without a right to stay in the EU, particularly those who commit crimes or are considered dangerous.

The commission services and Sweden co-chaired a technical-level meeting today in Brussels with technical-level representatives of the de facto authorities of Afghanistan responsible for return and readmission.

— European Commission spokespersonDescribing the technical nature of the meeting held in Brussels.

However, the engagement has drawn fierce criticism from human rights advocates and prominent figures. Malala Yousafzai, the Afghan Nobel Peace Prize winner, expressed deep disturbance, highlighting the Taliban's restrictions on girls' education and forced marriage policies. She argued that such meetings could legitimize a regime responsible for a severe human rights crisis. Jeff Crisp, Head of Policy Development and Evaluation at UNHCR, warned that returning Afghans to their country could expose them to persecution.

The meeting raised "hope to build positive momentum to safeguard consular rights of Afghans residing abroad."

— Abdul Qahar BalkhiThe spokesperson for Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry, outlining the broader agenda discussed.

Despite the criticism, the EU maintains that limited talks with Afghanistan's "de facto authorities" are essential. A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed the technical meeting focused on returns and readmission. Meanwhile, Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, described the agenda as broader, including potential consular presence and services for Afghans abroad, and the need for trust-building measures. The visit proceeded despite protests outside the EU Commission headquarters by Amnesty International activists.

Europe must not legitimise a regime responsible for one of the worst human rights crises in the world.

— Malala YousafzaiCriticizing the EU's decision to meet with Taliban officials.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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