Съобщения за пресата

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan (D-AF), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"As Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, I would like to convey my deep sadness by the loss of life and devastation caused by the deadly calamity that touched Herat area on Saturday. Our thoughts are for the more than 1000 people that have been killed, the immense number of injured still unknown, and their families".

The earthquake comes at a time when Afghanistan is hit by one of the most severe humanitarian crisis and several natural catastrophes causing starvation, insecurity and displacements. Under the Taliban regime, the population suffer a total economic collapse of the Country, diminished public services, including medical and educational services. The citizens are more than ever being exposed to major adversities.

The European Parliament's Afghanistan Delegation stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and extends deepest sympathy particularly to those in the affected area of Herat who have experienced the damage and destruction first-hand.

We praise the EU prompt response enabling the EU funded United Nations agencies, the non-governmental organizations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to use their EU funding to provide urgent assistance to the people in Herat. Also, on the day of the earthquake already 31st EU humanitarian flight landed in Kabul bringing 100 tonnes of medical supplies. More of the EU support for those affected is underway.

The Delegation calls for a sound joint international action so to provide the necessary assistance needed to relief the Afghan citizens.

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)

European Parliament's Delegation for relations with Afghanistan (D-AF)

Afghanistan: Taliban must stop gender apartheid now

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"On behalf of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, I would like to strongly condemn the banning of Afghan women decides by the Taliban regime from working in the UN in Afghanistan.

This is just another brick in the wall of gender apartheid perpetrated in an exponential way and without any respect for human rights and international Treaties subscribed by Afghanistan.

I urge the regime to stop this situation now and deliver its promises immediately.

Women' continue deletion from society is outrageous; it is erasing all social progress of the last twenty years and compromising the future of Afghanistan.

Women are half of society. Promoting women's participation and ensuring gender issues are amongst key objectives of the European Parliament's approach to democracy support. This situation is aggravating the dreadful conditions of not only women and girls, but the entire Afghan society.

Humanitarian aid provided by EU has to match our principle and I call for this to be respected. Only the Taliban regime will be held responsible for aggravating the suffering it is inflicting to its citizens.

I wish to extend my sympathy to Afghan women, girls, and to all citizens that are believing in them and they are fighting to build a better society. I strongly deplore the persecution and arrests of human rights defenders, such as education rights activist Matiullah Wesa, and urge for their immediate and unconditional release. D-AF will always stand by them."

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)

Women in Afghanistan have become victims of gender apartheid

Statement by Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality Robert Biedroń and Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan Petras Auštrevičius.

"The Taliban regime in Afghanistan is reversing the progress made in the last twenty years and life in the country is becoming a misery. Half of its population - Afghan women and girls - have become victims of gender apartheid. We call once again for all gender-based restrictions on women to be lifted so that they can pursue their education, actively participate in the labour market and public life in Afghanistan. The necessary measures must be taken to combat violence against women and girls, including forced marriage and intimate partner violence, and to hold perpetrators accountable without delay; the nationwide support system for victims must be reopened.

The European Union and the rest of the world cannot accept this situation and remain silent. The UN framework needs to be used to find a solution and to facilitate the transition from the Taliban totalitarian regime towards a balanced situation that involves women and minorities in the decision-making process.

Aid to Afghanistan must continue to restore and ensure the rights of women and girls. For the sake of Afghans and for future generations, we must not allow the Taliban to further isolate the country."

Background

Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed a long list of rules and policies that comprehensively prevent women and girls from exercising their fundamental rights, including to expression, movement, work, and education.

In January, Musal Nabizada, a young former politician, was shot dead in her home. She had served as a Member of Afghanistan's democratic institutions and worked for NGOs that are against the increasing restrictions on Afghan women's rights and freedoms. In December last year, the Taliban banned women from universities, further limiting their education after already excluding girls from secondary schools last March. On 24 December, Afghan women were banned from working for NGOs, bringing the delivery of many essential services and aid to a halt.

Afghanistan: The killing of the former female lawmaker Mursal Nabizada

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"On behalf of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, I would like to strongly condemn the killing of the young former politician, Mursal Nabizada, a 32-year-old former lawmaker in the Afghan parliament before the Taliban's takeover.

She was shot dead in her home, and this marks the first time that a politician from the previous political establishment has been killed under the Taliban regime. It also mark an unbearable escalation of violence against political dissent.

Nabizada was elected in 2019 to represent the city of Kabul. She had served as Member of the democratic institutions of Afghanistan and worked for NGOs; she gave voice to women's rights against increasing restrictions on their freedoms in Afghanistan. With her death, the Taliban regime has proved once again not to be able to protect its citizens and not to provide them with the necessary public safety and security.

As Chair of the Delegation aforementioned, I call for the regime to stop this unacceptable disregard of any basic democratic value and continuous degradation of human rights, especially women rights. I also call on the Afghan regime to end the use of intimidation, prosecution or violence in dealing with dissent and freedom of speech.

Within our remit, we are ready to do our upmost to support the Afghan population to return to democracy. The European Parliament will continue to follow the situation closely, in particular with regards to activists and defenders of human rights."

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)

Afghanistan: Taking stock of Taliban regime in 2022

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan (D-AF), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"On behalf of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, I would like to express my sincere hopes that 2023 will be the year of change for the narrative on Afghanistan: positive developments are needed and it is time they come for the sake of the Afghan people. Afghan citizens deserve a stable and safe country, a reality-recognizing leadership and a focussed international community.

D-AF will work for this agenda and will support initiatives aiming at improving education, especially re-opening schools for girls, supporting press freedom and backing a sound respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly those of the minorities.

The Delegation I have the honour to Chair is deeply concerned over the situation of Afghanistan under the current Taliban regime. Together with all devoted EP bodies, we have repeatedly denounced and condemned, through different parliamentary activities and resolutions, the deterioration of human rights all along 2022. Just to name few examples, let me deplore particularly the condition of women and girls, whose education and public life have been severely limited, of children, which are often forced to early marriages, of religious minorities like Shia and Hazaras, of persecution of LGBTQIA+ and of former government employees amongst which are judges, police, armed forces, and teachers. I am personally outraged by strict return to Sharia law and reintroduction of corporal punishments.

Taliban have not kept promises to guarantee the protection, basic needs and rights of the Afghan people. The country continues to face one of the world's worst humanitarian crises with the majority of population confronted with starvation. Reoccurring terrorist attacks also demonstrate the failure in delivering public safety and security.

Over the past year, the Taliban has proved not to be reliable and their regime cannot be recognised by democratic minded countries. The five EU conditions for any future engagement with the Taliban remain relevant and should be seriously considered by the regime.

As Chair of the D-AF, I call for the European Union and its Member States to continue supporting the Afghan people by increasing the scale and efficiency of humanitarian support, by continuously advocating for women's rights, their education and inclusion in the public life and workforce. Similar support is needed to minorities and persons at risk, including issuance of humanitarian visas.

In order to prevent a complete loss of the achievements over past 20 years in Afghanistan, I advocate for a regional approach and sound international cooperation to reach an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and post-conflict reconstruction as the only credible path to inclusive, long-term peace, security and development.

I also welcome the resumption of the investigation by the International Criminal Court into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Afghanistan and call on the EU to support this process. The Taliban regime must be held accountable, including for gender-based genocide.

Whereas we strongly condemn the current Taliban regime, we keep standing by the Afghan people. We express our hope for reversing the Taliban's suppressive policies and pursuing much-needed reforms for a stable and prosperous Afghanistan, for which we remain committed to working together."

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)

Statement of the Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan on the terrorist attack against Kaaj Higher Educational Center in Kabul

The Chair of the Delegation for relations with Afghanistan Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"I firmly condemn the shocking attack carried out by terrorists on Friday, 30 September 2022, at the Kaaj Higher Educational Center in Kabul. I grieve with the families of at least 19 students who lost their lives in this barbaric act while preparing for university tests and I express my sincerest condolences to the families of the victims.

The loss of innocent young lives is unforgiveable and I call upon the Afghan authorities to bring to justice all perpetrations and hold those responsible for the terrorist attacks accountable.

This follows a series of criminal acts in the Shiite majority neighbourhood of Dasht-e-Barchi, home to the minority Hazara community, subject to some of Afghanistan's most deadly attacks. On behalf of the European Parliament's Afghanistan Delegation, we note with deep concern the increasing level of violence against minorities in Afghanistan. Students, and especially girls, are systematically targeted as they represent the symbol of an open and free society and value the education of young people. Takeover by Taliban of the country did not bring neither stability nor guarantee for women and girls safety and rights. We urge all sides in Afghanistan to abstain from any form of violence and to pursue peace negotiations. Afghanistan needs stability and security to develop in a sound and prosperous way.

The European Parliament backs the EU to continue to be involved in the future Afghanistan, a future based on the principles of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, in particular the rights of children, women and minorities."

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)

15-8-2022

One-year anniversary of the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the takeover by the Taliban

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan (D-AF), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"Today marks the devastating one-year anniversary of the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the takeover by the Taliban. The regime, despite its attempts to convince about its positive evolution, has remained brutal and repressive, disregarding the fundamental freedoms and rights of the Afghan people. The Taliban's oppressive policies are gradually undoing the achievements of the last 20 years, hampering the country's further development and condemning the Afghan people to poverty and isolation.

Since the Taliban took power, we have witnessed the collapse of the country's economy and banking system, the failure of the new regime to ensure the uninterrupted provision of basic public services and the refusal to open schools for girls aged 12 years and beyond. These and other factors have not only blatantly undermined the quality of life of the Afghan people, but have also brought them to the brink of extreme poverty and hunger. Afghan women who have made a significant contribution to their communities and their country over the past 20 years are no longer able to continue their careers. Former government and military officials, dissenting voices and vulnerable groups, including ethnic, religious and sexual minorities, are subjected to discrimination, exclusion, death threats, extrajudicial executions and terror attacks.

In its resolutions of 16 September 2021 and 7 April 2022 on the situation in Afghanistan, the European Parliament deplored the violent takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and refused to recognise their government. We reiterate our position and call on the Taliban to cease all violations and repression against the fundamental and human rights of the Afghan people and to keep their promise of an inclusive government.

We maintain the conditionalities set out in previous EP resolutions and support the five benchmarks indicated in the Council conclusions on Afghanistan as of 15 September 2021 for any future relations. Until there are clear signs of a change in Taliban policy, EU support will be limited to humanitarian aid delivered directly to the Afghan people. Our utmost priority is to alleviate the severe hunger that affects nearly half of Afghanistan's population, and to support those affected by environmental disasters.

The EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan will continue to engage with Afghan civil society representatives, human rights defenders, democratically elected parliamentarians, former government officials and the humanitarian community to address the needs of the Afghan people. The European Parliament will continue providing a venue for Afghan women and girls, and vulnerable groups in order their voices to be heard. We will continue to advocate the safe resettlement of Afghans at risk. Our unwavering support and solidarity is with the people of Afghanistan, in preserving the achievements of the last 20 years and building a prosperous, inclusive and secure future for them."

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)

22-6-2022

Earthquake in Afghanistan: The European Parliament's Afghanistan Delegation stands in solidarity with Afghan people

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan (D-AF), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"The European Parliament's Afghanistan Delegation stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan following the devastating earthquake in south-eastern Afghanistan which has left hundreds of victims and injured people.

We are saddened by the intense magnitude of this tragic calamity and continued aftershocks overnight and into this morning.

The Afghanistan Delegation extends deepest sympathy to the citizens, particularly to those in the affected area who have experienced the damage and devastation first-hand.

It is distressing that the Afghan people who since Taliban takeover are facing acute hunger, restrictions on fundamental freedoms and human rights, diminished public services, including medical and educational services, and the economic collapse, are being exposed to more hardship.

We offer our condolences to families and friends who have lost loved ones.

We call for concerted humanitarian action at the international level to bring immediate relief to the people in need and to continue assistance to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Our hearts and our thoughts stand with the Afghan people."

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)

20-4-2022

Afghanistan: Deadly attack on a boys' school in Kabul's Hazara Shia district

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"We express our deepest condolences to the victims and the families of those killed in the recent attack on the Abdul Rahim Shahid high school in Kabul. We are devastated to witness the constant deadly attacks on educational institutions in Afghanistan, targeting innocent children, teachers and school staff. Schools should be a safe place where Afghan children, both boys and girls, can get an education and learn skills that will lead them through the rest of their lives.

The Taliban, since taking power, have taken on the responsibility of providing public services to the Afghan people, which also includes public safety and security. Now is the time to deliver on their promises and to guarantee the basic right to education for all Afghan children and young people, including female students, and to protect educational institutions from recurrent terrorist attacks. As the Hazara Shiite community has been subjected to numerous unlawful attacks in recent years, special attention must be paid to their protection.

The European Union will continue to advocate for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned reconciliation process and an inclusive government for the benefit of all Afghan people."

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)

23-3-2022

Afghanistan: Taliban announcement to extend the education ban for female students above the 6th grade

The Chair of the EP Delegation for relations with Afghanistan, Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT) issued the following statement today:

"We strongly denounce the Taliban announcement to further extend indefinitely the ban on female students above the 6th grade from returning to school. Education is a fundament right and Afghan girls must have the same right as all other girls. The European Parliament actively supports Afghan girls, and expresses solidarity with their efforts to regain their access to school.

Despite the Taliban's promises to preserve women's freedoms, these freedoms have practically disappeared. Most girls are now excluded from attending educational facilities, and women cannot engage in professional activities.

As representatives of European citizens, we reiterate the value of education. The EU is engaged in supporting the Afghan people and in implementing projects on the ground and believes that confrontation and provocation is a losing approach.

We remind the EU that any engagement with the Taliban must be based upon conditions. We are convinced that Afghan women and girls must be at the centre of the EU's talks with the Taliban authorities. We reiterate our call to the EU and the international community to take concrete actions to prevent any further delay for all Afghan girls to regain access to schools.

We stand by Afghan girls and urge the Taliban to refrain from any further actions aimed at limiting fundamental rights and freedom to women and girls. We therefore immediately urge the Taliban to lift such a ban".

Further information

Profile of Petras Auštrevičius (Renew, LT)