EU Benchmarks on Engagement with Afghanistan under Taliban Rule

(Where We Stand and the Way Forward – I)

by Mustafa Nasery and Abdullah Athayi

Published: November 2022

Jointly published by Bakhtar Institute and YAAR e.V.

Abstract: One month after the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the EU in September 2021 made its future engagement with the country conditional on five benchmarks concerning counter-terrorism, human rights and freedom of speech, an inclusive and representative government, access to humanitarian aid, and safe passage for those wishing to leave the country. Using these benchmarks as a reference point, this paper provides a snapshot of Afghanistan’s socio-political situation following the change of regime on 15 August 2021 and reflects key recommendations, concerns and demands of Afghan civil society actors and scholars regarding the EU’s future engagement with the de facto authorities in Kabul.

The paper argues that, contrary to the Taliban’s claims that they have fulfilled their commitments under all five benchmarks, there has been no progress towards an inclusive government or on human rights, while progress on humanitarian access and safe passage for those wishing to leave the country has been limited. Fifteen months after the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan is experiencing a unique religious autocracy dominated by only one of the country’s many ethnic groups—a regime that continues to deepen gender apartheid and to exclude, discriminate against and suppress other social and political groups. Furthermore, developments over the past 15 months suggest that the Taliban are neither willing nor capable of combating terrorism. Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan is once again on its way to becoming fertile ground for the growth and expansion of terrorism, radicalism and extremism.

Concluding that the current benchmarks require thorough revision, the paper recommends that the EU adopt a more independent policy and decision-making approach and translate the revised benchmarks into clear roadmaps with detailed contingency plans. The paper concludes by highlighting several important concerns and demands of the Afghan diaspora addressed to the international community.

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