Pina Picierno, a vice president of the European Parliament, has challenged the European Commission over its reported invitation to Taliban representatives for talks in Brussels on the return of Afghan asylum seekers, saying that such engagement risks legitimizing a regime “that commits crimes against humanity”.
In a statement, Picierno said she had submitted a written question to the European Commission seeking clarification on how it could justify inviting Taliban officials while the United Nations and European courts have raised concerns about returning Afghans to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
“I asked the Commission how it can justify such a move, given that the UN considers these returns a violation of international law and the Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled against the deportation of any Afghan woman,” she said.
Picierno argued that negotiating with the Taliban on migration issues would go beyond technical or operational contacts.
“Striking a deal with the Taliban goes well beyond mere operational contacts,” she said. “It amounts to a de facto recognition of a persecutory regime that commits crimes against humanity towards women and girls.”
The comments come amid growing criticism from European lawmakers, human rights groups and Afghan activists following reports that the European Commission is preparing to host Taliban representatives in Brussels for discussions related to migration and the return of rejected Afghan asylum seekers.
EU officials have described the proposed engagement as technical in nature and have stressed that the European Union does not recognize the Taliban rule.
Picierno’s remarks came on the same day that the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls and opposing the normalization of relations with the Taliban.
“Today, in the European Parliament plenary, we voted a resolution condemning exactly these violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan and rejecting any normalization of relations with them,” she said. “The message from this Parliament is clear.”
The resolution, approved by an overwhelming majority, condemned the Taliban’s recently adopted Criminal Procedure Code for Courts, saying it advances the systematic persecution of women and girls and institutionalizes severe violations of fundamental rights. Lawmakers also called for expanded sanctions against Taliban leaders and reaffirmed support for the EU’s policy of non-recognition of the Taliban.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including bans on secondary and higher education, limits on employment and restrictions on participation in public life. The policies have drawn widespread international condemnation and prompted accusations by rights groups and UN experts that the Taliban are enforcing a system of gender-based discrimination unprecedented in the modern world.
Picierno said Europe should instead continue supporting Afghanistan’s democratic opposition and those advocating for human rights from exile.
“Now, more than ever, we stand with the democratic opposition in exile,” she said.
