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Since the Taliban take-over in August 2021, the situation in Afghanistan has been deteriorating; nevertheless the EU remains committed to supporting the development of a stable, peaceful and prosperous country.
Afghanistan in prolonged crisis mode
After decades of conflict, recurrent natural hazards and a high level of poverty, the Taliban take-over in August 2021 resulted in an even faster economic decline, increasing food insecurity and widespread deprivation.
At the same time, the Taliban's actions and decisions contrary to their commitments, have led to the dramatic worsening of the political, economic, humanitarian and human rights situation for the Afghan people, especially for women and girls. There is systematic socio-economic exclusion of women and girls. The Taliban are also not willing or able to effectively address the presence and operations of terrorist groups on Afghan territory.
The Taliban have issued more than 70 edicts with many restrictions or prohibitions concerning:
girls’ attendance at secondary schools
dress codes
segregation at workplaces
women’s freedom of movement without a male guardian (mahram)
women’s access to public places
Women have also been also completely excluded from the legal system, which has practically been dismantled, with the 2004 constitution being suspended and the independence of the legal system no longer ensured.
At the end of December 2022, the Taliban decided to also ban women from attending universities and from working with NGOs. These edicts are not only discriminatory, they have direct and sometimes life-threatening repercussions, as the absence of female humanitarian workers undermines the provision of aid to the most vulnerable.
At the Council
At the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in February 2023, ministers discussed the decisions by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to systematically exclude women and girls.
They noted the need to assess the impact of these bans on the EU's policies and actions, including the delivery of humanitarian aid and basic needs support. As a result, Council conclusions were adopted at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in March 2023 reaffirming the importance and validity of the benchmarks outlined in the Council conclusions dated 15 September 2021 for policies and actions under the Taliban-appointed caretaker cabinet. The EU once again called on the Taliban, in the interest of the Afghan people to:
respect, protect and fulfil all human rights, and address human rights violations and abuses
establish an inclusive and representative government
prevent Afghanistan from serving as a base for hosting, financing or exporting terrorism
provide unhindered and non-discriminatory humanitarian access
continue allowing safe, secure and orderly travel to and from Afghanistan
The EU also outlined that a stable Afghanistan is in the interest of the international community as a whole, to prevent regional instability, terrorism threats, forced displacement and irregular migration.
The Taliban’s actions and decisions have led to the dramatic worsening of the political, economic, humanitarian, human rights situation for the Afghan people, especially for women and girls. Nevertheless, the EU remains committed to continuing its assistance to alleviate the severe humanitarian and socio-economic crisis, by providing humanitarian and basic needs and livelihoods support within a principled approach, where women can meaningfully participate in its delivery and where women remain beneficiaries. The EU also stands ready to further enhance support to Afghanistan’s neighbours and partners across the wider region for the prevention of negative spill-over effects.
The EU reiterated its unwavering commitment to supporting the full participation of all Afghans, including women and girls and persons belonging to ethnic and religious minorities, in all spheres of life in Afghanistan.
In 2023, Afghanistan continues to face one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world, with 28 million people in need of assistance, 6 million of them on the brink of famine.
EU assistance to Afghanistan
The EU has increased its efforts to limit the damage done by the de-facto authorities which are responsible for:
highly discriminatory action against women and girls
a sharp economic downturn, creating unprecedented levels of poverty
the creation of an authoritarian regime lacking commitment to fighting terrorism
The EU is coordinating all initiatives with the United Nations, the neighbouring states in the region and the main international partners.
The EU delivers 150 tonnes of aid via the humanitarian air bridge and supports repatriation, December 2021
Since August 2021, the EU has pledged up to €1 billion in support for the Afghan population. The EU has already mobilised:
€489 million for humanitarian aid
€400 million for basic needs and livelihoods
€17.7 million for additional crisis response
EU and member states’ combined support amounts to €1.6 billion since summer 2021.
Women’s rights in Afghanistan
Nowhere in the world have women’s and girls’ rights been challenged as they have been in Afghanistan. Recent developments give cause for great concern about the prospect of maintaining and enhancing the many gains made by Afghan women in the last two decades.
The EU has made clear on many occasions its determination to continue to support women and girls in Afghanistan and elsewhere, in line with its values and principles.
On 28 March 2022, the EU condemned the Taliban's decision to deny, secondary level education to over a million Afghan girls until further notice, regarded as a violation of the fundamental right to education for all children.
In light of recent Taliban bans, the High Representative issued a statement condemning additional restrictions to the right of education and participation in public life of girls and women. On 25 December 2022, the High Representative condemned the decisions by the Taliban that month on women's participation in public life.
The deteriorating situation for women and girls in Afghanistan continues to be of grave concern. The Council adopted conclusions on 14 November 2022 which:
condemns the systematic rollback by the Taliban of women's and girls’ human rights and fundamental freedoms
calls for targeted and substantial efforts by the High Representative, the Commission and the member states to address the situation and to ensure participation of Afghan women in policy dialogues concerning Afghanistan
recognises the importance of initiatives to further the WPS agenda such as the establishment of the EU-facilitated Afghan Women Leaders’ Forum in this regard
Powerful testimonies from women survivors, practical solutions presented by peace activists, and strong support from world leaders – the 'Women in Conflicts' high-level events co-hosted by President Charles Michel highlight the urgent need to protect the rights of women and girls and ensure their full participation in shaping peace and reconciliation.
Against the backdrop of the alarming situation in Afghanistan, the event have featured personal testimonies from survivors of violent conflicts. The speakers have highlighted both the untold suffering countless women and girls endure during violent conflict, as well as their unshakable hope to shape their own future.
We will get back up again, we cannot afford not to be hopeful.
Shahrzad Koofi, daughter of Fawzia Koofi, first woman Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament
The EU imposes sanctions against those constituting a threat to the peace, stability and security of Afghanistan, including the Taliban, along with individuals and groups associated with them.
These measures implement UN Security Council Resolution 1988 (2011) and include:
an arms embargo
a ban on technical assistance related to military goods and technology
travel bans for individuals
an asset freeze for individuals and entities
This sanctions regime applies to 135 individuals and 5 entities.
Restrictive measures against ISIL/Da'esh and Al-Qaida
On 20 September 2016, the EU established a dedicated framework of restrictive measures against ISIL/Da’esh and Al-Qaeda and persons, groups, undertakings and entities associated with them.
These autonomous EU restrictive measures are complementary to those adopted under the ‘EU terrorist list’, the EU legislation that implements UN Security Council Resolution 1373 (2001).
EU sanctions consist of:
travel bans for individuals
an asset freeze for individuals and entities
a prohibition on making funds or economic resources available to those listed
This sanctions regime applies to 14 persons and 5 groups.
We will get back up again, we cannot afford not to be hopeful.