Afghan Women Under Taliban Repression and the Taliban's Activities in Europe

Developments in October and November 2023 highlighted two contrasting realities: the repression of women and human rights activists under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, and the presence of Taliban officials and supporters at events in Europe.

This article examines the detention of Afghan women's rights activists, the visit of Taliban official Abdul Bari Omar to Cologne, Germany, and the activities of Taliban supporters in Europe. It also considers the wider questions these events raise about human rights, public representation, and the Taliban's presence abroad.

Table of Contents

1. Afghan Women Under Taliban Repression 

2. Taliban Official Abdul Bari Omar's Visit to Germany

3. Taliban Supporters and Activities in Europe

Conclusion: A Striking Contrast

1. Afghan Women Under Taliban Repression

In October 2023, the arrests of Afghan women's rights activists by the Taliban prompted renewed concern from human rights organisations. On 17 October, Amnesty International issued a statement expressing deep concern about the arbitrary detention of human rights defenders and activists, particularly women, in Afghanistan.

(Some of the Afghan women detained by the Taliban in November 2023, whose immediate release Amnesty International called for.)

In its statement, Amnesty International raised concerns about the arrests of Parisa Azadeh and other women's rights activists and opposition voices, including Manijeh Sadiqi, Julia Parsi, Neda Parwani, and university professor Rasul Parsi. The organisation called for those detained to be released unconditionally. Amnesty International also warned about the consequences of the Taliban's continuing restrictions on the rights of women and girls. The systematic persecution of women and girls may constitute a crime against humanity under international law, depending on the circumstances and the applicable legal criteria. The organisation called for accountability for human rights violations and other crimes under international law.

Parisa Azadeh, a protester and women's rights activist from Kabul, was reportedly arrested by the Taliban on 15 October 2023. At the time of Amnesty International's statement, concerns remained about her situation. Her case formed part of wider concerns about the treatment of women who publicly oppose the Taliban's restrictions.

2. Taliban Official Abdul Bari Omar's Visit to Germany

While women and girls in Afghanistan faced severe restrictions and activists risked detention for speaking out, Taliban representatives and supporters were appearing in Europe. In November 2023, a visit by a senior Taliban official to Germany attracted public and political criticism, raising questions about the presence and promotion of the Taliban's views in European countries.

Short video of Taliban official Abdul Bari Omar delivering a speech in Cologne, Germany:
https://youtube.com/shorts/JHJSZyZAykk

(Abdul Bari Omar at the event in Cologne, Germany, with a German flag visible in the background.)

Abdul Bari Omar, who headed the Taliban administration's National Food and Drug Administration in Afghanistan, visited Cologne, Germany, on 16 November 2023. During an event held in rooms at a DITIB mosque in the Chorweiler district, he delivered a speech describing the Taliban's system of leadership and obedience.

Omar stated: "In this system (of the Taliban), the leader (Emir) tells the minister that you are detached (from me), the minister goes to his house and is happy and tells the district governor that you are the minister. Everyone obeys the order of the Taliban leader (Emir)."

During the event, Omar also reportedly urged his audience not to believe the media and suggested that people should visit Afghanistan to experience the situation for themselves. His remarks presented a favourable account of the Taliban's system of government and challenged outside reporting about conditions in the country. Recordings of the event circulated on social media, including X.

Omar's visit to Germany followed his reported participation in the Second World Local Production Forum in The Hague, the Netherlands, held from 6 to 8 November 2023. Omar's participation in the Dutch event preceded his appearance in Cologne on 16 November 2023.

(On 9 November 2023, Omar posted this photograph on X, showing him alongside Dutch Health Minister Ernst Kuipers (left).)

The appearances of Taliban representatives in European settings attracted criticism because of the movement's record on women's rights and other fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan. The contrast between the restrictions imposed on Afghan women and the opportunity for Taliban officials to address audiences in Europe prompted questions about how such visits should be handled and what public platforms may signify for the movement's international image.

On 18 November 2023, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser reportedly described Omar's public appearance in Cologne as unacceptable. Her response reflected the controversy surrounding the event and the concerns it raised in Germany.

But Omar responded on the same day on X: "I am still in Europe, and during this trip I have met with the Afghan brothers living in Holland, Belgium, Slovakia and Germany, as well as a number of Afghan ambassadors and diplomats."

Omar's statement indicated that his European trip extended beyond Germany and the Netherlands and included meetings with Afghans living in several European countries, as well as Afghan diplomatic representatives.

3. Taliban Supporters and Activities in Europe

Jamil Qaderi, a Pashtun YouTuber whose online content supports the Taliban, also attended the event in Germany. Qaderi recorded Omar's speech and published a livestream of the event on his YouTube channel.

(Jamil Qaderi (right) records Abdul Bari Omar's speech at the event in Cologne.)

Link to Jamil Qaderi's video of the event: https://www.youtube.com/live/M-IiaL7QlB8

The video and accompanying screenshots show several other attendees. Some appear to be wearing clothing that may be associated with Taliban members, but clothing alone is not sufficient to establish a person's identity or organisational affiliation. Any claim that these individuals were Taliban members would require additional evidence.

The following screenshots are taken from the video recording of the event:

The images provide a visual record of the people present at the event and the way it was documented and shared online. Alongside Omar's speech and Qaderi's livestream, they illustrate how a public appearance by a Taliban official could be recorded and circulated to audiences beyond the venue itself.

Conclusion: A Striking Contrast

The wider significance of these events lies in the contrast between conditions in Afghanistan and the Taliban's public presence abroad. In Afghanistan, women and girls faced sweeping restrictions, while women who protested or challenged the authorities risked arrest. In Europe, meanwhile, Taliban representatives could appear at public events and supporters could circulate recordings presenting the movement's views. These developments raise important questions about the Taliban's international visibility, the protection of Afghan dissidents, and the responsibilities of public institutions hosting events involving representatives of the movement.

The issue is not simply whether Taliban officials or supporters should be allowed to speak. It is also whether audiences are given an accurate picture of the conditions facing Afghan women and other people living under Taliban rule. Independent journalism, human rights reporting, and the testimony of Afghan activists remain essential to ensuring that public discussions do not overlook the experiences of those whose rights have been restricted.

The events of October and November 2023 highlight the contrast between the repression faced by women and human rights activists in Afghanistan and the Taliban's public presence abroad. They underline the importance of documenting human rights violations, scrutinising the claims made by Taliban representatives, and ensuring that Afghan women and other dissidents have opportunities to make their voices heard internationally.

Related Report

For further information, see this related report on Amnesty International's call for the release of Afghan women activists:

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