The Canadian government in a statement on the fourth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power on Friday said that there can be no normalization of relations with the Taliban, warning that terrorist organizations are once again operating in a “permissive environment” in Afghanistan.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, International Development Secretary Randeep Sarai and Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab issued the statement condemning “ongoing repression, systematic human rights abuses and erosion of fundamental freedoms under Taliban rule.”
“Four years after the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan remains in the grip of a deepening crisis,” the statement said. “The reversal of rights, especially for women and girls, has been devastating. Millions of Afghan girls are denied their right to education. For women, opportunities to work, speak freely and live a dignified life without fear have been eliminated.”
The ministers said civil society space has been “extinguished” and all forms of democratic expression dismantled. The Taliban, they said, has shown no intention of forming a representative government, while terrorist groups operate “in a permissive environment,” posing serious risks to regional and global security.
The statement said the Taliban must be held accountable for its actions, adding: “There can be no normalization of relations with the Taliban until there is tangible progress on human rights, inclusive governance and the protection of fundamental freedoms.”
Canada said that since the fall of Kabul in 2021, more than 59,000 Afghans have arrived in the country. During the same period, Canada provided more than $143 million for basic needs assistance such as health care and education, and over $290 million in humanitarian aid, including food, nutrition, emergency health services, clean water, sanitation and protection services.
“Canada reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and remains committed to supporting a peaceful, inclusive and secure future where all Afghan people can live free of fear or repression,” the statement said. “Canada stands by the people of Afghanistan in their fight for a stable, secure and peaceful Afghanistan where no one lives in fear or under oppression.”
