WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3432/97 by Cristiana MUSCARDINI to the Commission. Human rights violations by the Kabul Government
Date: 1997-10-31
Institutions: European Parliament, MUSCARDINI
Subjects: Afghanistan, EU aid, Islamic State, diplomatic relations, human rights, humanitarian aid, international law, international sanctions, protection of freedoms, the EU's international role

C 158/110

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

25. 5. 98

(98/C 158/144)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3432/97

by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission

(31 October 1997)

Subject: Human rights violations by the Kabul Government

In September 1996 the Taliban, or Afghan theology students, captured Kabul and imposed a very severe way of
life on the people, based on an austere version of Islam that distorts the true faith and stifles the manifestations of
civil society.

They have set up a (cid:145)Ministry of Vices and Virtues(cid:146) and used it to lay down commandments which have to be
scrupulously observed on pain of mutilation or corporal punishment.

Women are obliged to wear long garments that cover their bodies from head to foot and are forbidden, among
other things, to go out into the street, study, or work; men must not engage in any activity that distracts them from
work and prayer; and children are not allowed to play freely.

The  Kabul  Government  has  also  been  taking  an  intransigent  and  hostile  line  in  relation  to  the  international
community and humanitarian bodies, since it is aiming to replace Western-inspired organizations with Islamic
institutions.

In the light of this situation, can the Commission adopt an attitude of condemnation and halt the human rights
violations being perpetrated every day?

In addition, can it exert economic pressure to persuade the Kabul Government not to interfere in the activities of
bodies seeking to promote peace and democratic development on Afghan territory?

Answer given by Mr Mar(cid:14)·n on behalf of the Commission

(1 December 1997)

The Commission strongly condemns the frequent human rights violations by the Taliban since their takeover of
Kabul in October 1996. Furthermore, following her visit to Afghanistan in October 1997, the member of the
Commission  in  charge  of  humanitarian  aid  strongly  denounced  the  precarious  situation  of  the  population  in
general, and women in particular due to Taliban decrees that arbitrarily restrict fundamental human freedoms.

In order to stop these human rights violations, the Commission would have to have a strong leverage on the
factions  to  force  them  to  adhere  to  internationally  agreed  standards.  In  this  respect  two  possibilities  are
frequently raised, firstly the imposition of a conditionality of aid and secondly the political decision to withhold
recognition of any faction. Given that humanitarian aid is by nature impartial and unconditional and that the
entire  Community  aid  committed  to  Afghanistan  is  humanitarian  in  character,  there  are  strong  reservations
concerning the introduction of conditionality on Community aid to Afghanistan.

On  the  other  hand,  as  the  Taliban  are  seeking  international  recognition,  it  should  be  conveyed  to  them  that
international recognition will only be forthcoming if governments abide by international law and international
human rights standards. Moves to strengthen a common position of the international community in this respect
are to be encouraged.

Concerning possible economic pressure to stop interference with organisations promoting peace and democratic
development, the Community does not have much scope for action given the limited amount of trade between the
Community and Afghanistan.

It  is  recalled  that  the  Presidency  of  the  Union  stressed  in  its  statement  of  October  1996  its  concern  at  the
restrictions on the work of non governmental organisations. However, in view of the situation in Afghanistan,
only a peaceful settlement of the conflict can bring about the changes required. Therefore, the Community has
the intention to contribute to the reactivation of the political de·marches in this respect.