EU talks with Taliban on deportations spark backlash over rights and normalisation concerns
EU talks with Taliban in Brussels over deportations have sparked strong criticism, with rights groups warning of the normalisation of a regime that severely restricts women’s rights and amid wider EU moves to tighten migration and asylum policy.
The European Union has found itself at the centre of an intense political and humanitarian debate following talks with representatives of the Taliban held in Brussels this week. Officially, the two sides discussed migration issues, including the possibility of scaling up deportations of Afghans who do not have the right to remain in the EU. At the same time, human rights groups and Afghan activists argue that the very fact of such contact may amount to the de facto normalisation of a regime that systematically restricts women’s rights.
According to EU data, between 2013 and 2024, member states received around 1 million asylum applications from Afghan citizens, of which approximately 50% were approved. Afghans remain one of the largest groups of asylum seekers in Europe, despite a decline in applications after 2022.
During the Brussels talks, possible mechanisms for returning Afghans without legal status were discussed, as well as individuals identified by the EU as potential security threats. Critics point out that differing terminology in official documents and diplomatic invitations creates a risk of broader interpretations of deportation policies.
At the same time, the debate is unfolding against the backdrop of a significant tightening of EU migration policy. In June 2026, the European Parliament adopted updates to the Migration and Asylum Pact, which include stronger border controls, expanded detention powers for migrants, and faster return procedures. Human rights organisations warn that this could weaken the principle of individual assessment of asylum claims, which is enshrined in international law.
The situation in Afghanistan remains one of the most complex. Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, women and girls have effectively lost access to secondary and higher education after around the age of 11, have been largely excluded from the labour market, and face severe restrictions in public life. Human rights groups describe these changes as a systematic rollback of basic rights and freedoms.
According to the UN, Afghans who have already been returned to the country, including via neighbouring states, have often faced arbitrary arrest, torture, and ill-treatment. The situation is further worsened by a humanitarian crisis, with around 40% of Afghanistan’s population experiencing food insecurity.
Critics of the Brussels talks stress that even without formal recognition of the Taliban, such contacts may lead to de facto legitimisation of the regime. Particular concern is raised over the possible resumption of consular procedures and further agreements on migrant returns, which, according to rights advocates, call into question the EU’s stated commitment to protecting human rights.