Belgium grants Taliban delegation visas for EU migration talks, sparking human rights concerns

Belgium has issued visas to five Taliban representatives to attend a European Union meeting on migration in Brussels, marking what would be the first time the bloc has hosted the group since it returned to power in Afghanistan five years ago.

A Belgian foreign ministry spokesperson said the visas are limited in duration and movement, allowing the delegation to travel only within Belgium for a single day. The date of the visit was not publicly disclosed due to security concerns, though European officials said the meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, June 23.

The European Commission invited Taliban officials to Brussels to discuss the return of Afghan migrants, despite warnings from human rights groups that engaging with the group could endanger Afghans and conflict with EU values.

EU officials said the meeting is focused on technical issues and does not represent recognition of Taliban rule.

“Member States are exploring ways to return people who have committed serious crimes and may pose a security threat,” Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert said during a daily press briefing.

A letter reviewed by Reuters and addressed to Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qaher Balkhi said the discussions would focus on “the return and readmission of Afghan nationals without a right to stay in the European Union.”

The move has drawn criticism because the Taliban government has continued imposing strict restrictions since taking control of Afghanistan, including limits on women’s rights, bans on girls’ education beyond primary school, and laws restricting freedom of expression and employment.

Rights groups criticize EU engagement

Human rights organizations have urged the EU to cancel the talks, arguing that cooperation with the Taliban should focus on protecting human rights rather than facilitating deportations.

“Any engagement with the Taliban needs to prioritize protecting human rights and accountability — not deporting people to danger there,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The EU has not revealed which Taliban officials will attend, and several senior Taliban figures remain under EU sanctions.

Amnesty International also criticized the decision, saying the security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated since the Taliban takeover.

“The EU should not attempt to deport people to Afghanistan, which has only become more dangerous,” said Eve Geddie, director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office.

Afghanistan faces worsening humanitarian crisis

Hundreds of thousands of Afghans have sought asylum in Europe since the Taliban regained control in 2021. While EU rules allow the return of some people convicted of serious crimes or considered security risks, deportations to Afghanistan have remained limited due to the lack of diplomatic ties.

Although Afghan asylum seekers have historically received high recognition rates in Europe, acceptance policies have tightened as governments adopt stricter migration measures.

Afghanistan is also facing a severe humanitarian crisis. The UN World Food Programme estimates that more than 17 million Afghans — around one-third of the population — are facing food insecurity, while the country continues receiving tens of thousands of returnees from Iran and Pakistan.