The European Union is facing a fierce backlash after inviting Taliban officials to Brussels for discussions on the forced return of unsuccessful asylum seekers to Afghanistan. The European Commission confirmed it is coordinating with Swedish authorities to host technical meetings with a delegation from the Islamist militant group in the Belgian capital this summer, though specific dates have yet to be finalized. This would mark the first time the EU has hosted Taliban representatives since the group seized Kabul by force in August 2021.
EU lawmakers condemn the move
Angered EU lawmakers have criticized the invitation, arguing that it legitimizes a regime that commits crimes against humanity. Raquel García Hermida-Van Der Walle, a Renew Europe MEP from the Netherlands, stated: 'Inviting a Taliban delegation to Brussels to discuss migration is a betrayal of our values. The Taliban receive the privilege of dealmaking with the entire European Union and some seem fine with it.' She emphasized that while addressing migration is important, Europe must maintain 'a minimum of decency and standards.' She added: 'Europeans died to give women and girls their rights. So no, don't legitimise the Taliban – ever. Those who carry out crimes against humanity should never set foot on European soil without passing through the International Criminal Court in The Hague first.'
Focus on deportation initiative
Markus Lammert, a spokesperson for the EU Commission, told The Independent that the talks would focus on an initiative launched by 20 EU member states in October last year to deport migrants back to Afghanistan if they are deemed ineligible to stay in the Schengen area due to security risks. He explained that a letter had been sent by EU immigration authorities and the Swedish justice ministry 'to the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to inquire about the availability for a meeting at technical level here in Brussels.' Lammert stressed that this was a response to member states' initiative, not at the behest of the Commission itself, and does not imply recognition of the Taliban regime as the official government of Afghanistan.
Rights groups and lawmakers express outrage
Approximately 65% of Afghan asylum seekers are successful in Europe, according to the EU Agency for Asylum. However, the plan to deport the remaining 35% back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has sparked outrage among rights groups and lawmakers. Pina Picierno, Vice President of the European Parliament, filed a written question to the Commission, asking how it can justify the move given that the UN considers such returns a violation of international law and the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled against the deportation of any Afghan woman. She stated: 'Striking a deal with the Taliban goes well beyond mere operational contacts: it amounts to a de facto recognition of a persecutory regime that commits crimes against humanity towards women and girls.'
ICC warrants and Taliban response
In July last year, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for the Taliban's supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and the head of Afghanistan's supreme court, Abdul Hakim Haqqani, on charges of persecuting women and girls since the group took power. The Taliban condemned the warrants as hostile to Islam, with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stating: 'We neither recognise anything by the name of an international court nor do we consider ourselves bound by it.' It remains unclear whether the Taliban delegation invited to Brussels includes individuals sanctioned by the EU or its member states. When asked about who will cover travel costs, Lammert said the Commission has 'not reached that stage yet.'
Further criticism from MEPs
Hannah Neumann, another EU Parliament member, argued that no meetings should occur with Taliban leaders as long as they 'violate human rights, impose gender apartheid and fuel extremism.' She remarked: 'We debate the brutal repression of women and of society in Afghanistan here for the umpteenth time. Nobody can claim not to know. And yet at the same time, the Commission invites the Taliban for the deportation talks – technical talks. But there is nothing 'technical' about opening doors to extremists while those who fought these extremists are stuck in Afghanistan, Iran or Turkey, waiting years for visa appointments.' Neumann also expressed alarm that Taliban officials now run Afghan consulates in Germany as if it were 'the most normal thing in the world.' The Taliban has yet to confirm its involvement in the Brussels visit or respond to the criticism.
