Malala Yousafzai Criticizes EU Invitation to Taliban, Warns Against Sacrificing Women’s Rights

ISLAMABAD/BRUSSELS: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai has strongly criticized the European Union’s decision to invite Taliban representatives to Brussels for talks on migration and the return of Afghan refugees, warning that such engagement sends a dangerous message regarding the treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.

In a video message posted on X, Malala urged European leaders to avoid making agreements with a regime that she described as being responsible for one of the world’s worst human rights crises.

She said the EU’s decision to host Taliban officials for discussions on migration had left her deeply shocked and concerned. According to Malala, inviting the Taliban to Brussels suggests that a government can systematically oppress women and girls and still be accepted as a legitimate international diplomatic partner.

Malala accused the Taliban of establishing a system of gender discrimination that has deprived Afghan women and girls of access to education, employment, public life, and freedom of movement. She argued that Afghan women have effectively been erased from public life under Taliban policies.

She also warned that the Taliban’s restrictions have increased the vulnerability of women and girls to child and forced marriages.

Referring to recent events in the Afghan city of Herat, Malala alleged that Taliban authorities detained at least 30 women and girls over dress-code issues and that security forces opened fire on protesters opposing the arrests, resulting in the death of a child and injuries to several others.

“Any dialogue with the Taliban must begin and end with the rights of Afghan women and girls,” she emphasized.

EU Confirms Invitation

Following Malala’s criticism, the European Union confirmed that a Taliban delegation had been invited to Brussels for discussions related to migration and the return of Afghan nationals.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said Belgium had issued one-day visas to five Taliban representatives at the request of the European Commission. According to Belgian media reports, the delegation is expected to participate in talks concerning Afghan refugees and other migration-related matters.

The EU has invited Taliban officials to Brussels to discuss a migration deal — and today I am shaken and deeply disturbed by this.

This is the same Taliban that banned girls from secondary schools and forced them into marriage. The same Taliban that, earlier this month,… pic.twitter.com/1X3tmlTxjh

— Malala Yousafzai (@Malala) June 22, 2026

The visit marks one of the few occasions since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 that its representatives have been invited to discussions hosted by European institutions.

Belgium Distances Itself from Decision

Prévot stated that he personally disagreed with the European Commission’s decision but explained that Belgium, as the host country of EU institutions, could not prevent the visit.

He said Belgium does not formally recognize the Taliban administration but is obligated to facilitate access for delegates attending meetings organized by European institutions.

According to Belgian authorities, the delegation underwent security screening by state security and military intelligence agencies before visas were issued. Officials said no evidence was found suggesting that the visitors posed a threat to national security.

The visas are valid only for one day and limited to Belgium, preventing travel to other Schengen countries. For security reasons, the dates of the visit have not been disclosed.

Renewed Debate Over Engagement With Taliban

The invitation has reignited debate across Europe and among international human rights organizations over whether engagement with the Taliban on humanitarian, migration, and security issues can be justified while maintaining pressure on the group over women’s rights.

Although several countries and international organizations maintain limited contact with the Taliban on humanitarian aid, security, and migration matters, no Western government has formally recognized the Taliban administration.

Human rights advocates argue that diplomatic engagement must not replace accountability for restrictions imposed on Afghan women and girls, particularly regarding education, employment, and civil liberties.

The United Nations and numerous rights organizations have repeatedly described Taliban policies as representing one of the most severe rollbacks of women’s rights in the world. The UN has warned that if current education restrictions remain in place until 2030, more than four million Afghan girls could be deprived of secondary education, with long-term consequences for Afghanistan’s economy, social development, and human capital.