Belgium Grants Limited Visas for Taliban Delegation Meeting

The European Commission invited the officials to discuss the return and readmission of Afghan nationals who lack the legal right to remain in the European Union. Commission spokesman Markus Lammert emphasized that the gathering is strictly technical and does not signal formal recognition of the Taliban government. The discussions focus specifically on individuals who have committed serious crimes or pose security threats, a policy area that has gained traction as member states search for avenues to enforce deportations despite the lack of official diplomatic ties.

Human rights organizations have sharply criticized the outreach. Fereshta Abbasi of Human Rights Watch argued that the bloc should prioritize accountability and the protection of vulnerable populations rather than facilitating returns to a country where the Taliban has systematically curtailed women's rights and free expression. Eve Geddie, director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office, labeled the plan unconscionable, citing the ongoing humanitarian crisis that leaves over 17 million Afghans facing food insecurity. While the EU continues to process asylum claims, the push for forced returns highlights a growing tension between restrictive migration policies and the deteriorating conditions on the ground in Afghanistan.