Print Magazine
Brussels Morning Newspaper
Friday, August 19, 2022
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
  • Home
    • About Us
  • EU institutions
    • Commission
    • Parliament
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
Brussels Morning Newspaper
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

Afghanistan: Stop passing the buck

Manon Aubry and Martin Schirdewan by Manon Aubry and Martin Schirdewan
15 September 2021
in Opinion
Afghanistan: Stop passing the buck
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Brussels (Brussels Morning) 23:59 in Kabul on August 30th. Hundreds of Afghan eyes are staring at the sky in despair. The last US airplane has just left the ground. With it, any hope of a last-minute evacuation has vanished into the dark.

Since the Taliban takeover, the Afghan people have been abandoned to a tragic fate. Women and girls in particular face life in what has become an open-air jail, with little hope in the present and the bleakest prospects for the future . Many are now the target of death threats.

After 20 years of US-led NATO occupation, Afghanistan has been plunged into a regime of extreme oppression and fanatical fundamentalism. While the occupation was never a viable solution, the return of the Taliban means new levels of repression and brutality.

For two decades, a generation of women claimed their rights to live and work openly, to go to school and university and aspire to be what they wanted to be. They struggled against the harshest odds to lead a decent life and dream of a decent future, for a society where girls and boys could enjoy equal opportunities and human rights. The Taliban’s full return to power in Afghanistan has now shattered those dreams.

Europe must act

Draped in its values and the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Union preaches solidarity, justice and dignity to others, while, all too often failing to live up to them. Now, more than ever, we have reached a point where Europe must act upon its stated values and open humanitarian corridors for refugees. Have we learned nothing from the Syrian crisis? Unfortunately, it seems not. Conservative forces prefer pouring billions of euros into third countries like Turkey, Iran or Pakistan, to finance inhumane treatment and ensure that refugees stay out of Europe at all costs. The total number of Afghan refugees represents a minute droplet, compared to the total population of Europe. Coordinating their reception among EU countries is totally feasible, providing there is the political will to achieve this operation.

The “West”, especially the United States, failed the people of Afghanistan. Neither NATO’s presence nor the trillions of euros spent in war delivered on the promises of peace or democracy to the Afghan people. Rather, they led to the strengthening of the Taliban and left behind a trail of death and destruction.

Today, the EU is once again failing Afghanistan, abandoning its people and continuing in its 20-year-old denial. It is time the member states and the Commission take responsibility and live up to their solemn lectures on peace, democracy and human rights. It is high time that we open our doors and welcome those whose lives are now under threat.

How can the EU sit idly by and be a mere spectator as the lives of women, LGBTIQ+ people, and human rights defenders are crushed into the rubble? Europe must set up humanitarian visas, safe corridors and a dignified reception for all those in danger in Afghanistan and put an end to the externalisation of borders. Crucially, Europe must immediately halt all deportation flights to the country. Fleeing Afghanistan is never a voluntary choice: these women, men and children are refugees trying to escape from a life of horror.

The thousands of Afghans that remain stranded in inhuman camps in Greece or are caught up in a legal limbo in EU countries are a stark reminder of the extent of the European failure. Afghans in Europe need to have their asylum requests approved now. 

We have a moral and legal obligation to support the Afghan people. We cannot turn our backs on them. Not again.

Tags: Main-SliderMEPOpinion section

Latest post

Afghanistan: One year of agony

Afghanistan: One year of agony

3 days ago
EU burned areas reach new high due to wildfires

EU burned areas reach new high due to wildfires

3 days ago

Most Read

  • Losing Balance on Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Losing Balance on Bosnia and Herzegovina

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What Are The Highest Paying Jobs In Finland?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Here Are 10 Highest Paying Jobs In Norway 

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What Are The Highest Paying Jobs In Luxembourg?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • These are the 10 highest paying jobs in the Europe in 2022

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn

About Us

Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

Category

  • Ambassador’s Corner
  • Belgium News
  • Brussels
  • Commission
  • Council
  • Culture and Society
  • Diplomacy
  • Economy
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe
  • Europe With Transparency
  • Features
  • In Depth
  • Member States
  • Middle East Eye
  • Opinion
  • Our pick
  • Parliament
  • Place de la Bourse
  • Southeast Europe
  • Sustainable Perspective
  • The American Angle
  • The Macro-Economist
  • Uncategorised
  • US Elections
  • World

More info

  • About Us
  • Advertising
  • Cookies Policy
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • Jobs

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About Us
  • EU Institutions
    • Parliament
    • Commission
    • Council
  • Europe
  • World
  • Member States
  • Economy
  • Culture and Society
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • The American Angle
    • Southeast Europe
  • Print Magazine

Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT