Human rights groups warn of risks in talks with Taliban

A joint letter signed by multiple human rights organizations and advocacy groups in France has expressed strong concerns over the government's reported plans to engage in technical discussions with Taliban authorities, potentially facilitating the removal of Afghan nationals. The letter was addressed to the ministers of the Interior, Foreign Affairs, and the Ambassador for Migration Affairs, as well as the ambassador.

Concerns over international obligations

The organizations, which work in the defense of human rights, accompany displaced persons, and represent Afghans in France, warned that such cooperation could weaken France's international obligations regarding asylum rights and non-refoulement. They emphasized that the protection needs of Afghans remain significant and called for a more cautious and responsible approach based on the respect of fundamental rights and protection imperatives.

Taliban’s human rights record criticized

The letter highlighted that the Taliban have imposed a regime of terror, systematic repression, and massive violations of fundamental rights since their takeover in August 2021. Women and girls are excluded from education, employment, public life, and social space. The National Asylum Court has recognized them as a social group warranting their own protection.

UN warnings against forced removals

The letter also pointed out that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) urged states to end forced removals to Afghanistan, regardless of the profile of people potentially affected by these forced returns. It stressed that nothing can justify an exception to the principle of non-refoulement, whether it be a threat to public order, a migration policy objective, or a diplomatic agreement.

German example raises concerns

The letter further noted that the German experience illustrates the risk of expanding removals to Afghanistan beyond those convicted of serious offenses. At least one Afghan without a criminal record was expelled in July 2025.

Call for protection and policy changes

The organizations requested the abandonment of all negotiations aimed at facilitating forced expulsions to Afghanistan and the guarantee of non-refoulement for all Afghan individuals due to the systematic violations of rights in the country. They also called for strengthening protection pathways for Afghans, particularly access to international protection, family reunification, humanitarian visas, and resettlement programs, and maintaining political support for sanction mechanisms and monitoring of human rights violations.

Signatories include activists and experts

The letter was signed by several individuals and organizations, including Hamida Aman, Sylvie Brigot, Nadine Camp, Matthieu Tardis, Fanélie Carrey-Conte, Shakiba Dawod, Sylvie Guillaume, Reza Jafari, Éric Lejeune, Céline Meresse, Isabelle Richard, Guillaume Rossignol, Mursal Sayas, Nathalie Tehio, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, and Talisa Zur Hausen.