On the situation in Afghanistan: supporting women and communities affected by the recent earthquakes

B100426/2025

European Parliament resolution on the situation in Afghanistan: supporting women and communities affected by the recent earthquakes

(2025/2872(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,

–having regard to its previous resolutions on Afghanistan,

–having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.whereas on 31 August 2025 a magnitude 6.0 earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan affecting Kunar and neighbouring provinces, killing and injuring thousands and leaving tens of thousands in urgent need of shelter, medical care and protection;

B.whereas women and children have been disproportionately affected by this disaster and are especially vulnerable in the context of the strict Sharia law imposed by the Taliban, which is limiting women’s access to aid, healthcare, assistance and shelter;

C.whereas the Taliban’s restrictions on female aid workers and their wider anti-women policies have impeded life-saving assistance, with the World Health Organization and UN agencies urging the Taliban to lift travel and workplace restrictions on women humanitarian staff to ensure access to women and girls in need;

D.whereas disruptions to telecommunications, road access and essential services further impede rescue, aid delivery and humanitarian coordination;

1.Expresses solidarity with the victims of the earthquake of 31 August 2025 that killed and injured thousands, leaving tens of thousands in urgent need of shelter, medical care and protection;

2.Condemns the restrictive policies and operational constraints imposed by the Taliban authorities, which have exacerbated the humanitarian impact, hindered access to services for women, and slowed the delivery of life-saving aid; calls on the Taliban to immediately lift restrictions that prevent female humanitarian staff from travelling and working freely;

3.Strongly condemns the systemic denial of women’s and girls’ fundamental rights in Afghanistan, including bans on education, employment and freedom of movement, as well as the mandatory wearing of the burqa; condemns the restrictions against women and girls, which prevent them from accessing essential services after the earthquake; recalls that these restrictive measures constitute a strict and direct application of Sharia law, causing a massive regression in women’s rights in Afghanistan and in other parts of the world;

4.Demands and calls for strict controls to guarantee that international aid is not seized by the de facto Taliban authorities; underlines that humanitarian and financial aid must go to the civilian victims of the earthquake as intended and not benefit the Taliban;

5.Stresses that the degrading humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will increase migratory pressure on Europe; recalls that Afghan asylum seekers are overwhelmingly male and are over-represented in crime rates in several European countries; considers, therefore, that the humanitarian response should be delivered directly in Afghanistan and in no way should consist of welcoming more Afghans to the EU;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Commission, the UN, relevant international donors and the de facto authorities in Afghanistan.