Taliban suppression of women’s rights may impact international financial support: EU Special Envoy on Afghanistan

EU’s Tomas Niklasson signals possible shift on dealing with Taliban regime, but doesn’t endorse alternative opposition groups, and calls on India to speak with the EU on human rights

India and the EU need to speak up together about human rights in Afghanistan says the European Union’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Tomas Niklasson, who visited Delhi for consultations on the way forward.

In an interview to The Hindu, Mr. Niklasson said the Taliban’s increased restrictions on women and the ban on girl’s education is of particular concern for the EU, and may change its policy on engagement and assistance to the regime in Kabul, but that supporting armed opposition groups like the National Resistance Force (NRF) is not on the table at present.