Renew Europe, one of the largest political groups in the European Parliament, has called on the European Commission to cancel plans to host Taliban representatives in Brussels, describing the move as a political and moral mistake that risks legitimizing a regime accused of widespread human rights abuses.
The group, which is made up of liberal and centrist parties from across the European Union, said the Taliban’s record on women’s rights makes any official engagement in Europe deeply problematic.
“Inviting a Taliban delegation to Brussels to discuss migration is a betrayal of our values,” said Raquel García Hermida-van der Walle, a Dutch lawmaker who chairs the European Parliament’s delegation for relations with Afghanistan.
“The Taliban receive the privilege of dealmaking with the entire European Union,” she said. “Those who carry out crimes against humanity should never set foot on European soil without passing through the International Criminal Court in The Hague first.”
The statement comes amid growing criticism of reported plans by the European Commission to hold technical talks with Taliban representatives on migration issues, including the return of rejected Afghan asylum seekers.
Renew Europe argued that the Taliban have systematically dismantled the rights of women and girls since returning to power in 2021, citing restrictions on education, employment, freedom of movement and access to justice.
The group also pointed to the Taliban’s recently adopted Criminal Procedure Code for Courts, which was condemned by the European Parliament in a resolution approved Thursday. Lawmakers said the code advances the systematic persecution of women and girls and institutionalizes severe violations of fundamental rights.
Renew Europe said the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders on allegations of crimes against humanity related to gender-based persecution.
“These are not interlocutors — they are persecutors,” the group said.
The European Commission has defended the planned engagement as a technical initiative focused on migration management. EU officials have stressed that the bloc does not recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
Renew Europe rejected that distinction, arguing that hosting Taliban representatives in Brussels would inevitably confer political legitimacy on the group.
“You cannot negotiate with persecutors without legitimizing them,” the statement said.
The group called on the European Commission to uphold the European Union’s policy of non-recognition of the Taliban and to place women’s rights at the center of any engagement with Afghanistan.
The criticism adds to a widening debate within Europe over how to engage with Taliban while addressing migration, humanitarian and security concerns. Several lawmakers, human rights organizations and Afghan advocacy groups have warned that official meetings with Taliban representatives could undermine international pressure over the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.
