European Parliament Approves Resolution Urging Sanctions on Taliban Leaders

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Afghanistan calling for sanctions against Taliban leaders.

The measure demands the immediate repeal of the Taliban criminal code and an end to all restrictions on women, girls and minorities. It also urges the implementation of arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court along with expanded human rights sanctions targeting Taliban leaders and the continuation of the non-recognition policy.

The resolution was approved with 480 votes in favor, five against and 83 abstentions. It describes the Taliban criminal code as causing systematic prosecution of women and girls as well as slavery, corporal punishment and gender apartheid.

Further demands include ending floggings, executions and other restrictions while increasing aid. The resolution notes that a Taliban leader endorsed the criminal code during Dalw last year. The code justifies the killing of opponents, recognizes slavery and limits Islam to the Hanafi school.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan criticized a Taliban decree on the separation of husbands and wives, stating that it authorizes child marriage and erodes women's rights. The European Parliament also passed resolutions regarding human rights in Iran and Indonesia on the same day.