The European Parliament adopted by 519 votes to 15, with 18 abstentions, a resolution on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials.
The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR, the Left groups and Members.
Parliament deplored the level of human rights abuses in Afghanistan, which have risen exponentially since the Taliban takeover. It denounced in the strongest terms all human rights violations in the country, including the widespread persecution of former government officials and former armed force members, the staggering oppression of women and girls and policy of gender apartheid, and the targeting of civil society organisations and human rights defenders. The resolution called on Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to fully enforce their publicly announced commitment to the general amnesty of former government officials and former National Security Forces members. It also urged the de facto authorities to reverse the severe restrictions on the rights of women and girls, in line with Afghanistan’s international obligations. In this regard, the EU is urged to step up their support for Afghan civil society, including by funding specific assistance and protection programmes for human rights defenders and by issuing humanitarian visas for persecuted women and girls.
Parliament also condemned the Taliban for brutally persecuting Christians and other religious minorities in order to eradicate them from the country.
Lastly, the Commission and the Member States are called on to bolster humanitarian aid, as well as funding for basic needs and livelihood support.