BRUSSELS (AP) — A delegation from the Afghan Taliban is set to travel to Brussels on Tuesday for closed-door discussions with European Union officials, focusing primarily on the controversial issue of deportations, according to a Taliban official. Afghan migrants constitute one of the largest groups seeking asylum within the EU, yet several governments across the 27-nation bloc are increasingly push for the acceleration of deportations for individuals with rejected claims or those found guilty of criminal activities in their host countries.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led forces, Afghan authorities have instituted severe restrictions on human rights, particularly impacting women and girls. Rights organizations have expressed that Tuesday’s meeting undermines the EU’s commitment to human rights, with concerns that it may jeopardize the safety of individuals both in Europe and Afghanistan.
Fereshta Abbasi, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, emphasized that any engagement with the Taliban should prioritize the protection of human rights and accountability, warning against deportations that could send individuals back to dangerous conditions in Afghanistan. The dissonance in EU countries condemning Taliban abuses while simultaneously cooperating on deportation arrangements raises questions about their credibility.
Notably, no EU member state has officially recognized the Taliban, making the Brussels meeting a significant yet discreet development in the group’s diplomatic isolation since taking power five years ago. The Taliban's five-person delegation includes Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a New Zealand-born spokesperson for the Taliban’s foreign ministry, according to an anonymous Taliban official.
Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot clarified that while Belgium does not recognize the Taliban, it has complied with EU requests to facilitate the issuance of visas for the Taliban delegation. He stated that hosting the meeting in the Belgian capital does not equate to recognition or legitimacy of the Taliban regime, which faces allegations of serious human rights violations.
Following security screening, members of the Taliban delegation were granted visas with limited territorial validity, restricting their stay in Belgium to 24 hours and preventing access to other countries in the Schengen zone. The meeting is scheduled to take place outside of official EU or Belgian premises due to the non-recognition of the Taliban government by these entities. The European Commission has not provided additional information regarding the meeting despite multiple requests.
A European Commission spokesperson noted that the meeting is taking place due to increasing pressure from a majority of the EU member states, with 20 nations signing a letter in October advocating for more robust migration policies and faster deportations. This effort includes addressing the return of individuals who have committed significant crimes and may pose security threats.
The inaugural EU-Taliban meeting took place in Afghanistan in January when the Commission sent a mission to Kabul, where it retains staff. The letter advocating for tougher migration policies was partly authored by Belgian Migration Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt, who stated that a clear message was sent to the European Commission urging a decisive and collective approach to enhance Europe’s control over migration and security.
Afghanistan is currently grappling with the return of approximately 3 million Afghans from Pakistan and Iran over the past year, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis fueled by food shortages and economic collapse. Taliban authorities have further imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, including banning education beyond primary schooling and limiting employment to a scant number of professions.
Eve Geddie, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, expressed dismay at the EU’s potential move to deport individuals to Afghanistan, highlighting the recent traumatic experiences of those fleeing the country. The EU, facing political pressure to tighten migration policies, has embarked on substantial reforms aimed at increasing deportations, which include the establishment of so-called "return hubs" and enhanced domestic surveillance capabilities, while maintaining engagement with the Taliban despite persistent human rights concerns.
The dire situation in Afghanistan continues to necessitate humanitarian aid, and the Taliban regime seeks to alleviate its international isolation while addressing the urgent needs of its population.
