Key facts
- Belgium has issued visas to a Taliban delegation for migration talks in Brussels.
- This marks the first visit by Taliban representatives to an EU-hosted event since 2021.
- The discussions will focus on migration and the potential return of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan.
- Human rights groups have criticized the engagement, arguing it risks undermining the EU's commitment to human rights.
- The visas are restricted to Belgium only and valid for a single day, with the exact date kept confidential for security reasons.
Belgium has issued visas to a Taliban delegation, allowing them to attend a migration meeting in Brussels. This marks the first time representatives of the group will visit an EU-hosted event since their return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The planned talks, which human rights organizations have criticized as potentially undermining the EU's commitment to human rights, will focus on migration and the possible return of Afghan nationals who do not have the right to remain in the European Union. The European Commission has stressed that the meeting is at a technical level and does not constitute formal recognition of the Taliban government.
Belgian officials approved five visas after security assessments found no evidence of threats from the individuals. The visas are strictly limited, permitting entry only to Belgium for a single day, with the exact date of the visit withheld due to security concerns. EU sources indicate the meeting was expected to occur shortly after the visas were issued.
Human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have urged the EU to cancel the meeting, advocating for discussions to focus on accountability and human rights rather than deportations to Afghanistan, which they describe as increasingly dangerous. The controversy has also highlighted internal divisions within Belgium, with Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot expressing opposition to the invitation but acknowledging Belgium's obligation to act on a request linked to official European business.
The discussions occur as European governments face mounting pressure to implement stricter migration policies. Despite Afghans being among those most likely to receive asylum in the EU, several member states are pushing for enhanced cooperation on returns for rejected asylum seekers. Afghanistan is currently experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, with millions facing food insecurity and economic hardship, alongside a significant influx of returnees from neighboring countries.