EU Special Envoy Calls Situation of Women in Afghanistan Worrying

Photo: Ariana News/EU

Gilles Bertrand, the European Union’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, has described the human rights situation in the country, particularly for women, as worrying at the end of his six-day visit to Kabul.

He called the Taliban’s decision to ban women from working in UN offices “a negative signal to the international community” and urged the group to reconsider its restrictions.

In a statement issued on Sunday (October 19), Bertrand said that the Taliban’s limitations on humanitarian organisations have made aid delivery in Afghanistan difficult and costly.

According to him, since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the European Union has allocated more than 1.8 billion euros for humanitarian aid, health, education and economic development in Afghanistan.

He added that a new package worth 83 million euros has also been allocated to support the private sector, create jobs, promote education and health, and strengthen women’s economic empowerment.

The EU envoy also reaffirmed support for media freedom in his statement.

He expressed concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan and called on the Taliban and Pakistan to exercise restraint and protect civilians.