POLITICS — April 2, 2026
Former Afghan MP Stages Sit-in at European Parliament Calling for 'Gender Apartheid' Recognition
Bektash Siavash, a former Afghan lawmaker, held a sit-in protest in front of the European Parliament in Brussels on April 1, 2026, demanding recognition of 'gender apartheid' in Afghanistan and an end to EU ties with the Taliban. He highlighted over 1,600 days of restrictions on women's education and work, and plans further advocacy in Europe amid UN experts' warnings on Taliban policies.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — 2 min read
BRUSSELS — Bektash Siavash, a former member of Afghanistan's House of Representatives, set up a protest tent in front of the European Parliament in Brussels on April 1, 2026.
Siavash posted on social media on Wednesday, corresponding to 12 Hamal in the Afghan calendar, announcing the sit-in. He called for international recognition of "gender apartheid" in Afghanistan and urged the European Union to cease diplomatic engagement with the Taliban.
Siavash stated that more than 1,600 days have passed since Afghan women and girls were deprived of education and work. He described the protest as the beginning of a long advocacy process and announced plans to travel to various European cities to continue his campaign.
United Nations experts have described the Taliban's policies toward women as potential "crimes against humanity" and suggested they may constitute "gender apartheid."
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Single source provides direct, on-record attribution to named individual Bektash Siavash with concrete, checkable details (specific location: European Parliament in Brussels; date: 12 Hamal; social media post; his background as former MP). Core event of the protest is reliably attributed.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Hasht-e Subh: "gender apartheid" – advocacy term repeatedly used to frame Taliban policies; "deprived of education and work" – emotional language emphasizing victimhood; "concrete example of gender apartheid" – presents women's opinion as objective fact with mild advocacy.
Independent web corroboration
An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.
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Politics — Bektash Siavash, Gender Apartheid, Taliban, European Parliament, Afghan Women
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