Taliban Delegation Meets EU Officials in Brussels Over Migrant Deportations

A five-member Taliban delegation arrived in Brussels on Tuesday for a one-day technical meeting with officials from the European Commission. The discussions centered on the deportation of Afghan migrants who have been convicted of crimes in Europe.

The meeting has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and experts. Fereshta Abbasi of Human Rights Watch called the meeting obvious hypocrisy and said it represents a great shame for the European Union. The Association of Afghan Women Leaders stated that engagement with the Taliban should not serve to normalize gender-based persecution and gender apartheid. The association emphasized the importance of accountability and the inclusion of women and civil society in related processes.

Hannah Neumann, a member of the European Parliament, warned that the meeting sends a political signal that could legitimize the Taliban. Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, described the invitation and the talks as an insult to Afghans, especially women.

Responding to the reactions, Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said the meeting agenda also covered consular services for Afghans abroad and confidence-building measures. He added that the discussions increase hope for protecting consular rights.