Fereshteh Abbasi, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, has warned that any agreement between the European Union and the Taliban to forcibly deport asylum seekers to Afghanistan would expose them to the risk of persecution, torture, and human rights violations, and should not be carried out.
Referring to talks between representatives of the European Union and a Taliban delegation, Abbasi said the discussions are taking place despite the EU’s full awareness of the human rights situation in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s record, which the bloc has repeatedly criticized and expressed concern about.
Abbasi emphasized that international law explicitly prohibits the forced return of individuals to countries where they face a real risk of torture, persecution, or threats to their lives. According to her, this principle represents one of the most important obligations of international law regarding the protection of refugees and asylum seekers.
She also stated that credible evidence exists of torture and mistreatment of some individuals who have been returned to Afghanistan from European countries, raising serious concerns about the safety and security of returnees.
The Human Rights Watch senior researcher added that countries such as Sweden, Denmark, Austria, and the Netherlands grant asylum to Afghan women solely on the basis of their gender. According to her, these decisions reflect these countries’ assessment of the situation facing women and girls in Afghanistan.
Abbasi further noted that the challenges faced by returnees are not limited to the risk of detention or torture, but also include severe economic and livelihood difficulties after their return. She said Afghanistan continues to face major challenges, including economic collapse, declining international aid, widespread unemployment, drought, and extensive restrictions.
In conclusion, Fereshteh Abbasi once again described the forced deportation of asylum seekers to Afghanistan as contrary to the principles and values of the European Union and called on EU officials to halt all plans involving the forced return of asylum seekers to Afghanistan.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
