A Taliban delegation held “constructive" talks with European Union representatives in Brussels this week, on deportations of failed Afghan asylum seekers amid criticism over human rights.
“The meetings were constructive, and there is hope that they will lead to positive developments," an Afghan official with direct knowledge of the discussions told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The meeting marks one of the few known instances of Taliban officials travelling to Brussels since the group returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Western governments, including EU member states, have not formally recognized the Taliban administration, though contacts have continued on issues ranging from humanitarian assistance to migration and security.
The discussions come as migration has moved back to the centre of political debate across Europe. Afghans remain among the largest groups seeking asylum in the European Union, but several governments have pushed for faster deportations of individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected, particularly those convicted of crimes or considered security risks.
The prospect of deeper engagement with Taliban authorities on migration has drawn criticism from refugee and human rights organizations. Advocacy groups have warned that Afghanistan’s human rights situation remains fragile and have argued that deportations could expose returnees to significant risks.
