The People’s Tribunal for Afghan Women has called on the European Union to withdraw its invitation to Taliban officials for planned talks in Brussels on the return of Afghan migrants, warning that such engagement could undermine international refugee protections and contribute to the normalization of Taliban rule.
In a statement published on Thursday, the tribunal urged EU institutions to reaffirm their policy of non-recognition of the Taliban and to halt any steps that could be interpreted as political legitimization of the group.
The organization warned that discussions concerning the deportation or return of Afghan migrants are particularly sensitive given the risks many Afghans face upon returning to the country. According to the statement, individuals sent back to Afghanistan could be exposed to detention, persecution, intimidation, or other serious threats to their safety.
The tribunal argued that negotiating migrant returns with Taliban authorities could place the European Union at risk of violating international refugee law, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they may face persecution or serious harm.
The group also called for an immediate halt to deportations of Afghan migrants, increased protection for asylum seekers, and stronger cooperation with Afghan civil society organizations, women’s rights groups, and democratic actors rather than engagement with Taliban authorities.
In its statement, the tribunal accused the Taliban of committing crimes against humanity through what it described as systematic gender-based persecution. It said inviting Taliban representatives to Brussels would represent a dangerous step toward normalizing relations with a government that, according to the organization, is responsible for “gender apartheid” and widespread human rights violations.
The tribunal further stressed its solidarity with Afghan women and girls who continue to resist restrictions imposed by the Taliban. It urged European policymakers to stand with victims of repression rather than those accused of carrying it out.
The statement was issued following reports that the European Union had invited Taliban officials to Brussels for discussions focused on Afghan migration issues. The European Commission has confirmed that, in cooperation with Swedish authorities, it is preparing technical meetings with a Taliban delegation in Brussels during the coming summer, although no official date has yet been announced.
If the visit takes place, it would mark the first time since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 that representatives of the group have been formally invited to Brussels for official discussions.
The People’s Tribunal for Afghan Women is a symbolic and non-governmental initiative established with support from human rights advocates and the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal. The body aims to document violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan and draw international attention to the situation facing Afghan women and girls.
The controversy surrounding the proposed Brussels meetings highlights the growing dilemma facing European governments: balancing practical engagement on migration and humanitarian issues while avoiding actions that critics say could grant political legitimacy to a government still widely criticized for its treatment of women, civil liberties, and human rights.
