To mark the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s seizure of power in Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, Misereor has criticised the German government for its increasingly direct recognition of and cooperation with the Islamist terrorist regime. This is due to bilateral arrangements regarding the deportation of Afghan criminals, as well as further planned deportations of Afghan nationals with no criminal record. Meanwhile, serious human rights violations against the Afghan civilian population are rife and, according to reports from Misereor’s partners based in Afghanistan, are becoming increasingly severe.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has stated that he does not wish to recognise the “de facto regime”, yet, in Misereor’s assessment, he is doing so in an increasingly direct manner. Officially, two Taliban representatives are already heading the embassies in Berlin and the Consulate-General in Bonn. They received the necessary authorisation and visas from the German government. The Taliban are increasing the pressure on the German government to allow them to send further diplomats by cancelling scheduled deportation flights, most recently at the beginning of July.
The exclusion of women from public life
“The Taliban regime is suffocating the people,” reports a representative of Misereor’s partner organisation, Afghanistan Schools (VUSAF). “Older girls and women are increasingly suffering from depression, as they have no prospects for the future and can hardly leave their homes anymore. We are also observing that girls are now being married off at an earlier age than before the Taliban took power, because young women have no chance of receiving an education or pursuing a career,” said the partner representative. Being excluded from public spaces, such as parks and bathhouses, has further isolated Afghan women, according to a further statement from Misereor’s partners. “We are not asking for much, just the right to learn and to live in dignity.”
Recognition of the oppressive regime instead of solidarity with the people
“Does the German Federal Government no longer consider it a serious issue that older girls and women are categorically excluded from all educational opportunities, that children as young as twelve are permitted to marry, and that corporal punishment – including stoning – of women who allegedly commit adultery or run away from home is common practice in Afghanistan?” criticises Bernd Bornhorst, Managing Director of Misereor.
“The message coming from Germany is one of recognition of the oppressive regime rather than solidarity and support for the suffering population. Our government has drastically cut funding for humanitarian aid, education and development. The conditions under which aid organisations can help the people of Afghanistan are becoming increasingly difficult,” says Bornhorst. The Misereor Executive Director calls on Germany to use its contacts with the Taliban to ensure that access to healthcare facilities and education is maintained, that Misereor’s local partner organisations can continue their work reliably, and that women are given opportunities to play an active role in this process.
Five years after the Taliban took power, around half of the country’s 45 million inhabitants are dependent on humanitarian aid. Around 3.7 million children are suffering from acute malnutrition, and some 14 million people are considered to be acutely affected by hunger.
In Afghanistan, Misereor primarily supports projects in the fields of health, education and psychosocial support. This work is carried out by partner organisations with a strong regional presence. Through educational programmes, health awareness campaigns and peace-building work, particularly vulnerable groups – especially women and girls – are supported.
