The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution condemning the Taliban’s recently enacted Criminal Procedure Code for Courts and calling for expanded sanctions against Taliban leaders over the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Lawmakers said the code advances the “systematic persecution” of women and girls and institutionalizes broad violations of fundamental rights. The resolution describes the measures as reinforcing gender apartheid, slavery and corporal punishment.
Parliament called on the Taliban authorities to immediately repeal the code and end public floggings, executions and restrictions imposed on women and girls, religious minorities and other vulnerable groups.
The resolution also urges stronger action by the European Union, including the enforcement of International Criminal Court arrest warrants and the expansion of human rights sanctions against Taliban leaders deemed responsible for the persecution of women and girls.
Members of Parliament further called for increased humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including support for women’s rights defenders, judges, lawyers, journalists, activists and women-led organizations.
The resolution urges the European Commission and EU member states to condemn slavery, gender apartheid and forced child marriage in diplomatic engagements and to support efforts to recognize such practices as crimes against humanity under a proposed international treaty.
Lawmakers also reaffirmed support for the European Union’s policy of non-recognition of the Taliban and expressed regret over plans to invite Taliban representatives to Brussels for talks.
The measure passed overwhelmingly, with 480 votes in favor, five against and 83 abstentions.
The vote comes amid growing international criticism of Taliban policies toward women and girls. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have barred girls from secondary and higher education, restricted women’s employment and imposed broad limitations on their participation in public life.
The resolution was one of three human rights measures approved by the European Parliament on Thursday, alongside separate resolutions addressing Iran and Indonesia. However, lawmakers devoted particular attention to Afghanistan, warning that recent Taliban legislation further erodes the rights and freedoms of women and girls.
