INTERNATIONAL — June 18, 2026
Over 40 Human Rights Organizations Urge EU to Avoid Engagement with Taliban
The letter, addressed to officials including Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas, warns that cooperation on migration issues risks violating non-refoulement and highlights the Taliban's gender-based persecution.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — corroborated by Afghanistan International and Amu TV — 2 min read
More than 40 Afghan and international human rights and civil society organizations sent an open letter to senior European Union officials. The letter urges the EU to refrain from any form of engagement with the Taliban that might grant legitimacy to the group.
The organizations also demand an end to the deportation of Afghan migrants to Afghanistan. They emphasize that such actions could violate international principles of non-refoulement.
The letter highlights the Taliban's systematic human rights violations. These include gender-based persecution, which the groups say may amount to crimes against humanity.
It warns against sharing information with the Taliban. The organizations call for asylum decisions to be based on international law and conducted through individual case reviews.
The letter was addressed to officials including Ursula von der Leyen and Kaja Kallas. It comes amid reports that the EU has decided to invite a Taliban delegation for talks on migrant returns.
Signed by 41 organizations, the letter includes groups such as Rawadari and Afghanistan Accountability Watch. It references a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding Taliban restrictions as a form of persecution.
Rawadari also highlighted the letter on its social media platform, expressing concerns over migration cooperation leading to the legitimization of the Taliban.
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Three independent outlets (Hasht-e Subh, Afghanistan International, Amu TV) corroborate the core event of over 40 organizations sending an open letter to named EU officials; the verifiable fact is the letter's existence and content as reported.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Amu TV: "crimes against humanity, including gender-based persecution", "institutionalized system of gender discrimination and repression", "systematically restricting the rights of women, girls, LGBTQ+ individuals" — these phrases frame the Taliban with strong legal and moral condemnation, mixing factual reporting with advocacy language that presents accusations as established fact.; Hasht-e Subh: "concerned about the increasing normalization of engagement with the Taliban", "should not lead to direct or indirect legitimization", "undermined by their willingness to accept representatives of the Taliban" — these phrases frame EU policy as morally compromising and dangerous, mixing factual reporting with advocacy language.
Independent web corroboration
A separate web search returned 8 matching reports. A selection:
Citing a ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union, the groups noted that discriminatory measures imposed on Afghan women and girls by the Taliban may constitute persecution under EU law. The signatories urged the European Union and its member states to ensure that migration cooperation, diplomatic engagement and return policies remain consistent with international refugee law, the principle of non-refoulement and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Among their recommendations, the organizations called on the EU to immediately suspend deportations to Afghanistan, maintain strict risk assessment standards for Afghan asylum cases, end cooperation with the Taliban involving data-sharing and support the participation of Afghan victims of serious human rights abuses in international discussions on the country’s future.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Over 40 organizations issued an open letter to EU officials opposing engagement with the Taliban and deportations to Afghanistan.
- The letter warns that cooperation risks legitimizing the Taliban and violating international refugee law and non-refoulement.
- Concerns focus on migration policy and normalization of Taliban contacts.
Where reports differ
- Amu TV provides extensive details on specific violations, signatories, and legal references (CJEU ruling); Hasht-e Subh adds mention of an EU decision to invite Taliban delegates and Rawadari's X post.
- Amu TV names specific addressees (von der Leyen, Kallas) and lists 41 organizations; Hasht-e Subh does not.
Filed by 3 outlets
Hasht-e Subh
Originating
Framed
Framed
Afghanistan International
Framed
Framed
Amu TV
Framed
Framed
Filed under
International — European Union, Taliban, Rawadari, deportations, human rights
Spotted an error or have more on this story? Tip the desk on Telegram → or WhatsApp →.
Reader supported
Keep Ehtebar running
Every published story uses paid tools to translate reporting, compare sources, extract claims, and produce a clearer read on Afghanistan. Reader support helps keep that work independent.
€5
helps cover daily verification runs
€15
supports a week of source comparison
€50
keeps independent analysis moving
More in International
Nearly 500 Afghan Migrants Freed from Pakistani Prisons and Returned Home
— Reliable
Iranian Court Sentences Afghan Migrant to Six Years in Prison
— Reliable
NATO Secretary General Reports US Reducing Commitments and Europe Increasing Forces
— Reliable
Belgium Opposes Taliban Delegation Trip to Brussels for Migration Talks
— Reliable