MONITORING (SW) – The European Parliament has approved a resolution adopted by 536 votes in favor, 96 against and 50 abstentions that called for evacuation of EU citizens and Afghans at risk, in particular through the use of safe corridors.
The members stressed that most Afghan refugees will seek protection in neighbouring countries hence the EU should therefore support those countries and help create humanitarian corridors to provide food aid, water, sanitation, and medication. However, this cannot replace a fully-fledged European asylum and migration policy, which should focus on resettling those most at risk and most vulnerable, and should include a special visa program for Afghan women seeking protection from the Taliban regime.
Parliament also urged member states to reassess current and recent asylum applications, including rejected applications, underlining that there must be no forced returns to Afghanistan under any circumstances. MEPs called again on the Commission to present a legislative proposal for humanitarian visas and on member states to share responsibility equally in offering protection.
MEPs acknowledged that operational engagement with the Taliban’s government is needed for logistical and humanitarian matters, in order to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in need and safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans willing to leave the country.
However, these contacts should remain strictly limited to those purposes, they noted. They stressed that conditions have not been met for a political recognition of de facto Taliban rulers who are currently destroying the achievements of the last twenty years.
ENDS
