Minorities | UN human rights experts on Thursday urged EU states to stop deporting Afghans, citing torture risks, and warned against normalising Taliban rule

ACW | October 22, 2026 — A group of United Nations human rights experts on Thursday, October 22, urged European Union member states not to deport Afghans to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, warning that returnees could face torture and arbitrary detention.

The statement was issued by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Its signatories include Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, the Special Rapporteurs on the rights of migrants and on counter-terrorism, and the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.

The experts said women and girls in Afghanistan are suffering gender persecution on a scale so widespread and systematic that it may amount to crimes against humanity. They added that ethnic and religious minorities, human rights defenders, journalists, LGBT people and former security personnel have faced torture and extrajudicial killings.

They said every return must be preceded by an individual risk assessment and follow due process. “Diplomatic assurances from a destination State do not release States from their international obligations,” the experts said.

According to the statement, the European Commission hosted the first official Taliban delegation in Brussels in June 2026. The Commission called the visit “technical,” while the head of the Taliban delegation called it “historic.” Some member states have also accepted Taliban consular officials, the experts said.

“There must be no normalisation or legitimation of the Taliban,” the experts said, until concrete improvements are made, including lifting the ban on education for girls and women above sixth grade. They said they have contacted the EU and several member states.

Afghan outlet Etilaatroz noted in its report that Germany has deported dozens of migrants it described as criminals under an arrangement with the Taliban, and that France has confirmed contacts with the Taliban on returns. The Taliban have not yet responded to the statement.

Background: Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have barred girls from school above sixth grade. Earlier this week, the EU called for an unconditional reversal of Taliban restrictions on women and girls.

Why it matters: UN experts say religious minorities in Afghanistan have faced torture and extrajudicial killings. The principle of non-refoulement they stress is a core protection for refugees at risk because of their religion or belief, including Christian converts.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: OHCHR — EU states must not send Afghans back to danger, warn UN experts; Etilaatroz — UN experts concerned over deportation of Afghan migrants from Europe; Afghanistan International — UN experts to Europe: do not deport Afghans

Photo: Meizhi Lang / Unsplash (illustrative)