Motion for a resolution - B9-0401/2023Motion for a resolution
B9-0401/2023

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials

3.10.2023 - (2023/2881(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 144 of the Rules of Procedure

Tineke Strik, Francisco Guerreiro, Hannah Neumann, Erik Marquardt, Ignazio Corrao, Mounir Satouri, Bronis Ropė, Malte Gallée, Alviina Alametsä, Heidi Hautala
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B9-0395/2023

NB: This motion for a resolution is available in the original language only.
Procedure : 2023/2881(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B9-0401/2023
Texts tabled :
B9-0401/2023
Debates :
Votes :
Texts adopted :

B9‑0401/2023

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on Human rights situation in Afghanistan, in particular the persecution of former government officials

(2023/2881(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the recent report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on violations against former government officials and former armed force members,

- having regard to its rule 144;

A. Whereas following their takeover on 15 August 2021, the Taliban announced a general amnesty for former government officials of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and former armed force members (ANDSF); whereas UNAMA has reported hundreds of violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions and torture and ill-treatment, carried out by the de facto authorities against former officials and ANDSF members;

B. Whereas dozens of activists and protestors have been arbitrarily arrested and detained in relation to their defence of human rights;

C. Whereas women and girls have been banned from all education beyond the primary level, access to parks, restaurants, gyms, public baths and working for national and international NGOs and the UN;

D. Whereas only a third of the Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan had been met and many programmes have closed due to insufficient funding; whereas over 15 million Afghans face acute food insecurity;

1. Reiterates its grave concern about the humanitarian and human rights crises that continue to unfold in Afghanistan two years after the Taliban takeover;

2. Denounces the reported persecution of former Afghan officials and former members of the armed forces; calls for all violations to be investigated and for perpetrators to be held accountable, also with a view to ensuring  the stability of Afghan society and the prospects for securing lasting peace in the country;

3. Denounces the relentless targeting of human rights defenders, journalists and other civil society actors, LGBTIQ+ people, dissidents, judges, as well as the brutal repression of peaceful protest and expressions of dissent;

4. Expresses its continued outrage at the devastating policy of gender apartheid faced by Afghan women and girls; reiterates its demand that the Taliban immediately allow girls of all ages to receive education on an equal basis with boys and reverse the decree banning women from working for national and international NGOs;

5. Urges the EU to step up its support to Afghan civil society, and to fund specific assistance and protection programmes for HRDs, including the issuance of visas;

6. Urges Member States to significantly step up resettlement of Afghans, and improve safe pathways to reach the EU;

7. Calls on the VP/HR to initiate the launch of a global accountability initiative for the egregious human rights violations committed by the Taliban, including by expanding EU restrictive measures against those responsible, and by establishing an independent investigative mechanism under the UN Human Rights Council;

8. Calls on the EU and the Member States to help address the acute humanitarian needs of the Afghan people, particularly ahead of the winter season;

9. Insists on maintaining a strict conditional engagement with the Taliban in accordance to the five Council benchmarks for engagement with the de facto authorities;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the relevant parties.

Last updated: 3 October 2023
Legal notice - Privacy policy