BRUSSELS: Former Afghan lawmaker Baktash Siawash has urged the European Union to choose between supporting the Afghan people and engaging with the Taliban, accusing the international community of applying double standards over human rights in Afghanistan.
Speaking at a European Parliament Committee on Petitions meeting on Thursday, November 5, Siawash called for the recognition of gender apartheid in Afghanistan and urged European countries to suspend diplomatic relations with the Taliban.
He also called on the EU to designate the group as a terrorist organisation and adopt stronger measures against its administration.
Siawash said more than 1,908 days had passed since the Taliban introduced restrictions that have deprived millions of Afghan women and girls of access to education, employment and participation in public life.
He described the restrictions as systematic discrimination, arguing that international responses had largely remained limited to political statements while conditions for Afghan women continued to deteriorate.
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The former parliamentarian also accused the Taliban of suppressing independent media, political activity, music and cinema, while supporting and harbouring terrorist groups.
Criticising Western countries, Siawash questioned their decision to facilitate visas and international engagements for Taliban officials while simultaneously expressing concern over restrictions on women’s rights.
He urged European lawmakers to increase political and parliamentary pressure and ensure that Afghanistan’s future political system reflects the will and sovereignty of its people.
Siawash also referred to correspondence from the European Parliament’s Delegation for Relations with Afghanistan, which indicated cooperation in efforts to secure recognition of gender apartheid within the institution.
The European Union has repeatedly condemned restrictions on Afghan women and girls. At the 81st session of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, it warned that systematic violations of their rights could amount to gender-based persecution.
