The European Parliament has confirmed that a petition calling for the recognition of “gender apartheid” in Afghanistan and the designation of the Taliban as a terrorist organization has been referred to its Committee on Petitions for review.
According to an official letter, the case has been formally registered and forwarded for assessment, with a final decision expected to be communicated in writing. The Parliament noted that due to the high volume of petitions, the review process may take time.
The petition was submitted in connection with former Afghan lawmaker Baktash Siawash, and the Parliament emphasized that such petitions become part of the public record after registration, while remaining subject to data protection rules.
The referral signals that the issue of women’s rights in Afghanistan is increasingly entering formal legal and institutional frameworks within the European Union, moving beyond purely political discourse.
If the concept of “gender apartheid” were to gain formal recognition, it could open the door to expanded legal and diplomatic pressure on the Taliban.
At the same time, discussions around designating the Taliban as a terrorist organization at this level could further widen the gap between the group and European institutions, potentially affecting future political engagement and diplomatic channels.
The development reflects a shift toward legalizing human rights concerns in Afghanistan within international governance structures.
