EU hosts Taliban officials for the first time in talks on deportations

The European Union will host a meeting in Brussels with a Taliban delegation to discuss the deportation of Afghan nationals without a right to stay in Europe. Belgium has issued five one-day visas to the delegation for the meeting, which is expected to take place on Tuesday. This marks the first time the EU has hosted the Taliban since they regained power in Afghanistan. The discussions will focus on the return and readmission of Afghan nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected. The European Commission emphasized that this meeting does not constitute formal recognition of the Taliban. The initiative stems from member states exploring ways to return individuals who have committed serious crimes or pose a security threat.

EU officials are facing strong criticism for planning to host a Taliban delegation in Brussels on Tuesday. Rights campaigners and MEPs argue this meeting risks normalizing a regime that has severely restricted women's rights and banned girls from secondary education. The Belgian foreign ministry confirmed issuing five single-day visas for the delegation. This engagement follows previous talks with the Taliban since January regarding the deportation of Afghan migrants deemed security risks or lacking legal residence. Critics, including MEP Juan Fernando López Aguilar, condemn the move as an "outrage" and a double standard, especially given that two Taliban leaders face international criminal court arrest warrants for crimes against humanity. Human rights groups warn that deporting Afghans to their country, which faces a humanitarian crisis and where women face severe persecution, violates international obligations.