EU Representative: Execution by the Taliban is Humiliating and Contrary to Human Dignity

On Monday (November 18), Niklasson condemned the execution of a young man in Paktia province through a post on his X account and called for fair trials in Afghanistan.

He emphasized, "The European Union is strongly opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances and at all times."

The EU Special Representative also noted that public executions are against Afghanistan's human rights commitments and, according to Articles 6 and 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), are considered acts that are humiliating and contrary to human dignity.

He urged the Taliban to ensure access to legal representation for all Afghan citizens, both men and women.

Previously, Richard Bennett, the UN Human Rights Council's Special Rapporteur, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had also condemned the execution of a young boy by the Taliban.

It is worth noting that last week, the Taliban executed a young boy accused of killing a former member of the group in Gardez, the capital of Paktia province, in the presence of Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's Minister of Interior.

This was the sixth execution by the Taliban in more than three years in Afghanistan.