A group of Afghan women’s rights activists has warned that any engagement between the European Union and the Taliban would amount to a “betrayal” of Afghan women. In an open letter addressed to Roberta Metsola and Ursula von der Leyen, the activists criticized reported plans to host Taliban representatives for talks on deporting Afghan migrants. The letter stresses that so-called “technical discussions” on deportations are not merely administrative, but constitute a deliberate political act that could legitimize the Taliban, described by the authors as responsible for systematic repression in Afghanistan. The signatories argue that such engagement risks normalizing current conditions, which they describe as “gender apartheid,” with women excluded from education, employment, and public life. They also warned that deporting Afghan migrants raises serious legal and ethical concerns, as many would face persecution and rights violations upon return. Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse reports that the EU is considering a meeting involving Taliban representatives focused on returning Afghan nationals without legal residency, although no formal invitation has yet been issued.
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