By Fidel Rahmati in The Khaama Press Online, November 20, 2023
Despite the sanctions imposed on the Taliban’s authorities, which restrict their foreign travels, some members of the group have recently undertaken foreign trips, resulting in reactions.
Abdulbari Omar, the head of the Food and Drug Administration of the Taliban, recently embarked on a European journey that controversies have accompanied. Reports suggest that this official from the Taliban administration is currently travelling in European countries, with his presence confirmed in at least Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
The German Foreign Ministry has responded to widespread criticism regarding the presence of this Taliban official in Germany, stating that they are reviewing the issuance of a visa for this member of the Taliban.
The ministry emphasized, “We do not recognize the Taliban. As long as the Taliban openly violate human rights, especially the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, the normalization of relations with their regime will not take place.”
In a strong reaction, the German Foreign Ministry continued, “No one should provide a platform for extremist Islamists in Germany. The Taliban are responsible for widespread human rights abuses, and the responsible authorities are investigating this matter rigorously.”
Abdulbari Omar left the country after the German Foreign Ministry’s reaction. In the latest videos released by supporters of the Taliban, he is seen wandering in one of the cities in Belgium.
Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee in the United States, also criticized the failure to enforce travel bans on members of the Taliban officials and said, “The European trip of the Taliban is unacceptable.” According to him, “The international community should stand together in implementing and expanding travel bans on Taliban members. This is unacceptable.”
The Taliban administration is accused of widespread human rights violations and open hostility towards women, which is considered as gender inequality and gender apartheid by the international community and organizations.
https://www.khaama.com/concerns-grow-over-failure-to-enforce-travel-bans-on-taliban-members/
