Ex-Afghan MP Says Europe’s Engagement With the Taliban Risks Normalising Repression
Baktash Siavash, a former member of Afghanistan’s House of Representatives, says European countries’ rapprochement with the Taliban, while Afghan women are denied education, work and participation in public life, could help normalise the group’s repression and restrictions.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, he told a meeting with members of the European Parliament that European countries should not engage with an administration in order to return some asylum-seekers, describing it as part of a broader global network of “extremism.” Siavash said this approach was incompatible with Europe’s claims to defend freedom, justice and equality.
Siavash stressed that the people of Afghanistan do not want military intervention, because they have already experienced its consequences with their lives, land and future; however, opposition to military intervention should not mean accepting the normalisation of Taliban repression under the guise of diplomacy.
He asked how Europe can speak at the same time about justice, freedom and human values while engaging with the Taliban, when millions of Afghan women are deprived of their basic rights. Siavash said human rights and women’s rights should not be subject to countries’ political calculations, warning that engagement with injustice can turn into complicity in it.
He added: “The regime that has today found an opportunity to grow and expand is, in the very places and institutions you have put at its disposal, one that may tomorrow force you to pay the price for this decision.” Siavash said Europe had been warned about the dangers of this approach, and if its consequences become clear in the future, the people of Afghanistan should not be blamed.
