European Parliament resolution criticises Pak support to Taliban

Brussels/New Delhi, Sep 15 (UNI) Short of slamming the US, the European Parliament on Wednesday expressed its frustration over Washington for its lack of a serious exit strategy from Afghanistan. While indicting the Taliban for its repressive measures and breach of human rights, the European Parliament was highly critical of Pakistan’s support to the Taliban and its help in fighting the Resistance forces in Panjshir, and directed the EU’s diplomatic service to convey to Islamabad that it bears responsibility for the security and stability in Afghanistan and gave a veiled warning of passing sanctions against Pakistan.

In a resolution on the situation on Afghanistan, the Members of the European Parliament also called on the European Union to invite Ahmad Massoud, the Resistance leader of the Panjshir, to a hearing in the Council and the European Parliament – in a major recognition of Massoud’s fight against the Taliban.

The resolution said that the Taliban’s coming has increased the threat of terrorism, and noted that the members of the Taliban’s caretaker government include persons responsible for acts of terrorism and are sanctioned by the UN.

While expressing its deep concern about the threat posed by terrorism to Afghanistan and the region, it pointed out that of the 72 internationally listed terrorist organisations, 18 are present in Afghanistan, in particular the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL-Daesh) and their affiliates, in particular ISIL-Khorasan Province and Al-Qaida. It also expressed concern that that military ammunition left behind by the US-led international forces and the Afghan armed forces could fall into the hands of various terrorist groups and radicals.

While condemning all terrorist activity and all terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, it underscored the importance of the effective fight against the financing of terrorism and of dismantling financial networks supporting terrorism. It said it was “very worried” about the findings of the UN Monitoring Team’s report indicating that the relationship between the Taliban and Al-Qaida “has grown deeper”.

It also noted that terrorist threat remains a major challenge and that jihadists around the world feel emboldened by the Taliban’s takeover.
The resolution was very critical of Pakistan. It noted that many members of the Taliban’s caretaker government are holders of passports issued by Pakistan.
It also noted that in Panjshir valley, “Pakistan is assisting the Taliban in fighting the Ahmad Massoud’s National Resistance Front by supplying its special forces and providing air support” and that “Taliban fighters have been provided with safe havens in Pakistan for many years”.

The resolution recalled that “for many years Pakistan provided safe havens for Taliban members, as well as assistance to its security forces in taking over Afghanistan”
It instructed the European External Action Service (EEAS) – the EU’s diplomatic service – to convey to Pakistan’s leadership that it bears responsibility for the security and stability in Afghanistan, and that Pakistan’s influence on the Taliban will be taken into account when considering the renewal of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) – which removes import duties from products coming into the EU market from vulnerable developing countries.

It said it will weigh up whether there is reason to immediately review Pakistan’s eligibility for GSP+ status in the light of current events and whether there is sufficient reason to initiate a procedure for the temporary withdrawal of this status and the benefits that come with it.

In a warning to Pakistan, the resolution recalled that, “in addition to the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (the EU Magnitsky Act), the EU also has a country-focused sanctions mechanism to address human rights violations and abuses”.

On the US’ withdrawal, it said “the American withdrawal from Afghanistan was planned, decided on and implemented without sufficient consultation of its European allies”.

It noted that Resolute Support – the NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and institutions — was the most important long-term NATO mission outside of the North Atlantic area and that “it failed in building a strong Afghan army and in preventing the victory of the Taliban”. It took note of the lack of a serious exit strategy on the part of the US despite the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan having been taken well in advance.

It also noted “that for the EU and its Member States, the situation has underlined their high dependence on the US military for their evacuation operations”.
It expressed its deep frustration and concern at the ineffectiveness of the, US, NATO, the EEAS and the European Union institutions as a whole over a 20-year period, including this Parliament, in maintaining and funding the facade of a democratic government, in reality corrupt and alien to the people, as well as armed forces that have proven to be ineffective”.
It expressed its concern at the fact “that our collective failure in Afghanistan means a strategic advantage for non-Western powers, China and, to a lesser extent, Russia, without their having provided significant support to and been involved in the development of Afghanistan”.

Significantly, it said that the crisis has proved “the need for the EU to reinforce significantly its capacity to act autonomously and to take much more responsibility for building a genuine European Defence Union”.

It said it is convinced that expanding and deepening the European Defence Union is necessary to help achieve these goals and called on Member States to significantly increase their defence spending, which should go hand in hand with the strengthening of the European pillar of NATO.

While acknowledging that operational engagement with the Taliban’s new caretaker government is needed for logistical, operational and humanitarian matters, in order to provide humanitarian assistance to civilians in need and safe passage for foreign nationals and Afghans seeking to leave the country, it stressed that “these contacts should remain strictly limited to the relevant purposes at this stage” and “avoid any impression of a possible recognition of the Taliban, and that international sanctions against Taliban members have to be maintained”.

It also emphasised that conditions have not been met for the political recognition of the de facto Taliban rulers who have assumed power by military means and are currently destroying the achievements of the last 20 years. It stressed that communication with the Taliban should by no means lead to the removal of the existing sanctions against its members.

It also noted with the utmost concern the appointment as Minister of Interior of Sirajuddin Haqqani, whose links with terrorist activities have been extensively documented, and the presence of several individuals under UN sanctions in the de facto Taliban government.
It noted the need for a regular dialogue with Afghanistan’s neighbours and regional actors, notably India, Iran, Central Asian countries and Pakistan, focusing on the safe exit of Western nationals and Afghans at risk, ensuring the access of humanitarian assistance and aid workers, and tackling the spread of terrorism and organised crime, including the smuggling of drugs and human trafficking.
It stressed that this cooperation should not undermine the EU’s defence of fundamental values and the rule of law. It urged the European Commission and the EEAS to closely follow the situation in the Panjshir Valley where the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan is resisting the Taliban’s attacks and to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe resulting from food disruption and the lack of critical services there.
It also noted in detail the repressive measures by the Taliban, especially on women, girls and minorities.
It noted that the Taliban’s caretaker government was formed without keeping the Taliban’s promises of an inclusive government and that the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has been dismantled, and the Taliban do not envisage continuous participation of women in leadership roles in Afghanistan.
It noted that the Taliban are persecuting women leaders, officials and activists, and are using lethal force to disperse women’s rights protests, and that there is a well-founded fear that the Law on Elimination of Violence Against Women, which imposes criminal penalties for child and forced marriages, domestic violence and numerous other abuses against women, will be repealed.

It said the Taliban’s caretaker government has issued a countrywide ban on protests and has started a crackdown on the free media, including the detention of and assaults on journalists and imposing new restrictions on media work, and that the Taliban use propaganda to spread hatred towards the West and the EU.