RASC News Agency: A coalition of Afghanistani women’s rights activists, civil society organizations, and migrant associations in Norway has voiced strong opposition to the Norwegian government’s decision to delegate consular responsibilities to Taliban representatives. In a formal letter of protest addressed to Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the signatories expressed grave concern, warning that “the Taliban a group responsible for systematic human rights abuses, the erasure of women from public life, the suppression of civil liberties, and entrenched gender discrimination is now seeking international legitimacy through official representation.” The letter underscores that the Taliban’s deeply repressive policies toward women in Afghanistan stand in direct contradiction to Norway’s international human rights commitments and constitute a violation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The activists also cautioned that such a decision would severely undermine the trust and psychological well-being of thousands of Afghanistani migrants residing in Norway.
Furthermore, the signatories stressed that consular services must be administered through neutral and non-political mechanisms, asserting that “such responsibilities must not be placed in the hands of a group that has orchestrated humanitarian crises and inflicted immeasurable suffering upon the people of Afghanistan.” The letter urges Norway’s Foreign Ministry to immediately halt the process of transferring consular authority to the Taliban and to refrain from any action that could be perceived as a step toward granting the group formal recognition. Instead, the activists propose that consular services be managed through former non-political Afghanistani officials, independent organizations, or international institutions. In addition, they called for the meaningful inclusion of Afghanistani women, civil society organizations, and the migrant community in all policy decisions related to Afghanistan, ensuring that these groups play an integral role in shaping Norway’s future approach.
Concluding their statement, the activists and civil society organizations expressed hope that “Norway, as a nation committed to upholding human rights, democracy, and human dignity, will continue to stand unwaveringly with the people of Afghanistan particularly its women.” At a time when Afghanistani women remain systematically deprived of their fundamental rights under Taliban rule and journalists face escalating threats and restrictions, the letter further appealed for urgent international attention to Afghanistan’s deteriorating human rights situation. The worsening climate for journalists marked by state-imposed censorship, intimidation, and arbitrary detentions highlights the pressing need for robust global intervention and steadfast advocacy for media freedom in Afghanistan.
