27 June 2026
Mr Macron and Mr Barrot,
We are stunned by the information made public by the press: “Taliban officials (are) expected in Brussels to discuss with the European Commission the repatriation of Afghan exiles to their country of origin” (Agence France-Presse, 23 June).
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, we have written to you on several occasions to draw your attention to the appalling treatment imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan: a ban on working, a ban on studying, a ban on visiting public places, a ban on going out onto the streets and even a ban on appearing at a window!
We have informed you of the repression suffered by women and activists – particularly those from the Spontaneous Movement of Afghan Women (SMAW) – who have been arrested, tortured and sometimes executed or arbitrarily detained.
As recently as 12 June, in the city of Herat, women and residents rose up against the Taliban authorities’ latest decisions, which ban women from using cosmetics, require them to conceal every strand of hair beneath the compulsory veil, and compel them to wear face masks and socks. And once again, the crackdown was brutal.
In 2021, we asked you to grant unconditional asylum to these women and activists. You replied that you were prepared to help. Our request remains as relevant as ever.
Mr Macron and Mr Barrot,
Nearly five years have passed. And now the European Commission is hosting a delegation of these bloodthirsty oppressors! And this, to discuss the “return of Afghan exiles” to their country of origin!
The “return of Afghan exiles”? As you know, these young girls, women and men who have sought refuge in France and the European Union face the worst forms of abuse – and perhaps death – if they are handed over to the Taliban’s executioners.
Is this why, in the French department of Gard, an entire family of Afghan exiles is under threat of deportation? At the support rally held in Alès on 25 June, the eldest daughter – who attends La Grand-Combe secondary school – said: “We cannot and do not want to return to Afghanistan.”
Mr Macron and Mr Barrot,
Have you not heard the statement from the NGO Human Rights Watch, which has just declared: “European Union countries are undermining their credibility by, on the one hand, condemning the Taliban’s abuses (…) whilst, on the other hand, cooperating with the Taliban on forced returns.”
If you do not immediately condemn this meeting between the European Commission and the Taliban, if you refuse asylum to these women, these young girls, these men and these activists persecuted by the bloodthirsty regime in Kabul, you will irrevocably undermine all your credibility when it comes to defending the rights of Afghan women and women’s rights in general.
It is on these grounds that we urgently request a meeting with you as a delegation.
If you wish to sign this open letter publicly, please provide your surname, first name, title (and your contact details). An initial list of signatories will be published on 30 June. Please send your signature to: femmesafghanes@gmail.com
International Workers Committee - Comité ouvrier international - Comité obrero internacional 