Australia’s Parliament has relaunched its Parliamentary Friendship Group with the People of Afghanistan, a move Afghan diplomats and Australian lawmakers described as a sign of enduring solidarity with Afghans amid the country’s continuing political and humanitarian crisis.
The group was formally launched on Tuesday, June 23, at Australia’s Parliament House in Canberra, in a ceremony attended by members of parliament, senators, government representatives, civil society organizations and members of the Afghan-Australian community. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra said the initiative reflected Australia’s continued commitment to the Afghan people, particularly during a period of profound challenges in Afghanistan.
At the event, Australian parliamentary officials and lawmakers emphasized support for human rights and democratic values in Afghanistan. Participants highlighted concerns over the situation of Afghan women and girls, who remain subject to sweeping restrictions under Taliban rule, and stressed the importance of maintaining international attention on developments in the country.
Julian Hill, the co-chair of the friendship group and Australia’s minister for citizenship, praised Afghan Ambassador Wahidullah Waissi for his efforts to strengthen ties between Australia and Afghanistan and advocate for human rights. Hill said the group would continue supporting the Afghan diaspora and promoting awareness of human rights issues affecting Afghans.
Matt Thistlethwaite, speaking on behalf of Australia’s foreign minister, said Canberra remained committed to supporting the Afghan people and would not allow the current situation in Afghanistan to become normalized. He reaffirmed Australia’s support for women’s and girls’ rights and efforts to hold the Taliban accountable for human rights violations.
Monique Ryan, the friendship group’s co-chair, also emphasized the longstanding ties between Australians and Afghans and expressed support for Afghan women and girls.
Ambassador Waissi thanked Australia for its support over the past two decades, particularly its role in evacuating and resettling vulnerable Afghans following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021. He said many Afghans who found refuge in Australia had become active contributors to the country’s economic, social and cultural life.
Waissi argued that support for the Afghan people should not be equated with recognition of the Taliban, saying Afghans and the Taliban are “two different things.” He also welcomed the relaunch of the parliamentary friendship group as a message that Australia’s commitment to Afghans extends beyond political developments and remains focused on the people of Afghanistan.
The relaunch comes as Afghanistan continues to face mounting economic hardship, restrictions on women’s rights and growing international concern over the Taliban’s human rights record. Supporters of the initiative said the friendship group would help sustain parliamentary engagement with Afghan issues and strengthen ties between Australians and the Afghan community.
