Story perspectives

EU Invites Taliban to Discuss Deportations Amid UN Criticism

6/23/2026

Summary

EU Invites Taliban

The EU invited a Taliban delegation to Brussels to discuss deportation procedures after the European Parliament approved the Returns Regulation on June 17.
UN Rapporteur Richard Bennett condemned the plan and shared UN High Commissioner Volker Türk’s regret over the EU rule that speeds deportations.
Rights groups, UN experts, Afghan women and European lawmakers said the talks legitimize the Taliban while Afghanistan endures arbitrary detentions, killings and aid dependence for its population.

Summary

Taliban Crackdown

Taliban forces opened fire on demonstrators in Herat, killing two people, including a child.
Taliban spokesman Saif-ul-Islam Khyber defended the hijab rule as national sovereignty.
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported 30 women were detained in June for dress-code violations in Herat.
Morality police arrested male UN-aid staff in Herat over alleged beard-trimming.
Diaspora rallies in United States, Canada and Europe demanded women’s education and freedom.

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EU Invites Taliban

The EU invited a Taliban delegation to Brussels to discuss deportation procedures after the European Parliament approved the Returns Regulation on June 17.
UN Rapporteur Richard Bennett condemned the plan and shared UN High Commissioner Volker Türk’s regret over the EU rule that speeds deportations.
Rights groups, UN experts, Afghan women and European lawmakers said the talks legitimize the Taliban while Afghanistan endures arbitrary detentions, killings and aid dependence for its population.

1 / 2