Baktash Siawash, a former member of Afghanistan’s parliament during the republic, called on the European Union to designate the Taliban as a terrorist organization, arguing that the group should be treated similarly to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Speaking at the World Forum on the Future of Democracy in Berlin, Siawash criticized what he described as the European Union’s “double standards” in its approach to the Taliban.
He said the Taliban had maintained ties with international extremist networks while systematically suppressing political opponents, women and civil society inside Afghanistan.
Siawash did not cite specific evidence during his remarks, but he urged European officials to adopt what he called a clearer and more consistent policy toward the Taliban.
The European Union has not formally recognized the Taliban government since it returned to power in 2021. While the bloc has imposed sanctions on certain individuals, it has continued to provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan through international organizations.
The Taliban have previously denied maintaining links with terrorist groups, but UN reports show they still have ties with groups like al Qaeda and others.
