EU reiterates its commitment to the Afghan people in the face of the abuses exhibited by the Taliban since their return to power

The European Union has insisted this Saturday on its unwavering commitment to the Afghan population despite the specter of abuses committed by the Taliban authorities, whom it accuses of “breaking all their promises to the people of the country” during the twelve months that have elapsed since their return to power on August 15, 2021, the day they conquered the capital, Kabul.

“Instead of negotiating a solution to the Afghan conflict, the Taliban have forcibly overthrown a constitutional government and have been unable to establish an inclusive political system, thus denying the aspirations of the Afghan people,” the EU lamented in a statement.

In the text, the European Union denounces the Taliban especially for “grossly violating the rights of Afghan women and girls, deprived of secondary education”, discrimination against minorities, especially Hazaras and Shiites, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, ill-treatment and intimidation, as well as constant attacks on freedom of opinion, expression, press or assembly.

Faced with this situation, the EU is forced to seek “pragmatic solutions” to help the population, such as, it recognizes, interacting with the Taliban to “raise key issues” on the development of the country, also hit by a very serious economic crisis that has led almost half of the population to suffer from acute food insecurity.

The EU, which has a “minimal presence” on Afghan territory, has committed more than 300 million euros in humanitarian aid in this regard and has mobilized 330 million more to maintain basic services through UN partners and local and international organizations.

“We advocate the protection and enforcement of Human Rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international conventions, to which Afghanistan as a State Party must adhere, while respecting International Humanitarian Law,” the EU insists.

“We call on the de facto authorities (the Taliban), for the sake of the Afghan people, to suspend policies that violate obligations towards Human Rights and address those that are ongoing,” the European Union concludes.