This week, the European Parliament once again debated the dramatic situation in Afghanistan. The debate was triggered by the Taliban’s new criminal procedure law, which further deepens the oppression of women and girls. Women are being erased from public life. Their rights are being severely restricted. Violence against them is being institutionalised. At the same time, pressure on journalists, activists, and civil society as a whole continues to intensify.
My Speech:
In my speech, I strongly criticised the European Commission’s plan to invite the Taliban to Brussels for talks on deportations. The Commission describes these as “technical discussions.” But there is nothing technical about engaging with the Taliban. Negotiating with them is a political choice.
What makes this especially bitter is the situation of those who fought against the Taliban. Many are still stranded in Afghanistan, Iran, or Turkey, waiting for visas and protection for years. While they are being abandoned, Europe is gradually reopening its doors to the Taliban.
The EU itself had set clear conditions for any engagement with the Taliban: respect for human rights, guaranteed humanitarian access, combating terrorism, and the establishment of an inclusive government. None of these conditions have been fulfilled. And as long as that remains the case, there should be no talks with the Taliban. I also wrote an op-ed on this issue for the Frankfurter Rundschau.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationOur Resolution:
This is why the European Parliament adopted a clear resolution
on 21 May 2026. Among other things, we call for:
- The immediate repeal of the Taliban’s criminal procedure law
- The clear recognition of the Taliban’s systematic oppression as gender apartheid, institutionalised enslavement, and child marriage
- The recognition of these crimes as crimes against humanity
- No recognition and no normalisation of the Taliban by the EU and its Member States
- Increased pressure on the regime to ensure that human rights – especially the rights of women and girls – are respected again
- Support for and implementation of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against Taliban leaders
- Expanded EU human rights sanctions against Taliban officials, including travel bans and asset freezes
- Increased humanitarian support for the people of Afghanistan
- Greater protection and support for Afghan women’s rights defenders, judges, lawyers, journalists, activists, and women-led organisations
- Ensuring that humanitarian aid safely reaches women and girls in Afghanistan
