Afghanistan Peace CampaignSo far, the interim government has not officially responded to the EU–Japan statement.
In a joint statement, the European Union and Japan voiced deep concern over what they described as the deteriorating humanitarian conditions and human rights situation in Afghanistan.
The statement emphasized that Afghanistan’s interim government is responsible for fully upholding all of its international legal obligations, particularly in relation to human rights and preventing Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorism.
The joint statement read: “The EU and Japan note with grave concern the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation in Afghanistan. We underscore the Taliban’s responsibility to ensure full compliance with all of Afghanistan’s international legal obligations, particularly in respect of human rights and to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe haven for terrorism.”
Ahmad Khan Andar, a political analyst, said: “The EU, as a powerful global alliance, and Japan, as an advanced industrial and economic nation, should clarify their concerns about human rights under the current Islamic Emirate. They must understand that after years of war, Afghanistan now enjoys widespread security, and many issues should be resolved through dialogue and political engagement with the Afghan government.”
Other analysts believe that to expand the Islamic Emirate’s engagement with the international community, especially with the EU and Japan, it is important for the Islamic Emirate to address international concerns while respecting national interests.
Moeen Gul Samkani, a political commentator, stated: “The international community must also recognize its responsibilities, and the Islamic Emirate should address issues that are aligned with the UN Charter, do not contradict the principles of Islam, and respect Afghan cultural traditions.”
Idris Mohammadi Zazai, another analyst, also said: “In my opinion, the demands from the international community are neither harsh nor impossible—they are, in fact, aligned with the expectations of the Afghan people themselves.”
So far, the interim government has not officially responded to the EU–Japan statement, but in the past, it has frequently dismissed such criticism as politically motivated and biased, stating that it respects citizens’ rights within the framework of Islamic Sharia.