Concerns over women’s rights, damage to EU credibility; Human Rights Watch criticizes Taliban invitation to Brussels

Kabul Times News | Report: Tabassum Aslamyar

Human Rights Watch criticized the invitation of the Taliban delegation to Brussels and warned that such a move could undermine the credibility of the European Union in the field of defending human rights.

Fereshteh Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch, said that any engagement with the Taliban should focus on human rights, accountability and support for the Afghan people, not on issues such as the forced expulsion of Afghan refugees.

Abbasi stressed that the international community should not ignore the human rights situation in Afghanistan, especially the rights of women and girls, in its engagement with the Taliban. According to her, the continued widespread restrictions on women and the lack of accountability for human rights violations are among the most important challenges that must be addressed in any dialogue with the Taliban.

Human Rights Watch has once again called on governments and international institutions to prioritize human rights and accountability for violations of the rights of Afghan citizens in their interactions with the Taliban.

The comments come as reports have emerged of a Taliban delegation visiting Brussels.