EU Lawmakers Urge Belgium to Deny Visas to Taliban Delegation

Nearly 40 members of the European Parliament have called on Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot to refuse visas to a Taliban delegation invited by the European Commission for technical discussions on migrant returns to Afghanistan. The letter, initiated by Belgian MEP Saskia Bricmont (Ecolo/Greens), argues that granting entry would legitimize a regime widely condemned for systematic human rights abuses since seizing power in August 2021.

The Core Dispute

The controversy centers on a fundamental tension within EU policy: the growing push by member states to deport irregular migrants versus the obligation to uphold human rights and the principle of non-refoulement. As reported by La Libre Belgique, the European Commission confirmed on May 12 that it had invited Taliban officials to Brussels for “technical discussions” on the readmission of Afghan nationals without the right to stay in the EU.

The invitation came at the request of nearly 20 member states, including Belgium, where Minister for Asylum and Migration Annelien Van Bossuyt (N-VA) has been a driving force behind engagement with the Taliban regime.

Prévot’s Position: The “Siege Policy” Defense

Foreign Minister Prévot has indicated that Belgium would be prepared to grant visas under the “siege policy” — the obligation of Belgium as host country for EU institutions to facilitate meetings organized by those bodies. He argues this does not constitute recognition of the Taliban regime. However, as documented in a parliamentary interpellation by MP Claire Hugon (Ecolo), legal specialists consulted on the matter contest this interpretation. They argue that the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the EU does not contain an obligation to grant visas to temporary ad hoc delegations, suggesting Prévot may be overstating the legal constraints on his decision-making.

Notably, Prévot told Parliament on April 23 that Belgium had received no visa requests from Taliban representatives and that such requests would be “systematically refused” — with the exception of the siege policy.

A Broader European Shift

The invitation is part of a wider European trend toward engaging with the Taliban on migration enforcement. Germany became the first EU country to deport Afghans back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in August 2024, with three subsequent waves totaling 121 individuals with criminal convictions, facilitated by charter flights via Qatar. Austria followed suit in October 2025. According to France24/AFP, a growing number of EU member states are looking to emulate this approach, driven by domestic political pressure and security concerns following a series of high-profile attacks.

In October 2025, 20 EU countries — including Germany, Poland, Greece, Italy, and Belgium — sent a joint letter to Brussels requesting the opening of negotiations with Kabul.

Human Rights Concerns

Multiple human rights organizations have warned that forced returns to Afghanistan violate international law. The principle of non-refoulement, enshrined in the Geneva Convention and Article 19 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, prohibits returning individuals to places where they face a real risk of persecution or serious harm.

As reported by RTBF, the European Commission frames this engagement as purely operational. “The Union has received a mandate from the Council to maintain an operational dialogue with the Taliban authorities. But this in no way constitutes recognition,” said Commission spokesperson Markus Lammert.

Critics remain unconvinced. “For years, the European Commission has collaborated with the most authoritarian regimes in the context of the EU’s migration policy. A new line has been crossed with the invitation of representatives of the Taliban regime,” said French MEP Melissa Camara (Greens).

The Humanitarian Reality

Afghanistan faces a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Nearly 23 million people — half the population — need aid to survive, and 90% of children face food poverty. Since 2023, more than five million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan, often forcibly, and most live in extreme hardship without stable housing or employment.

Lisa Owen, Country Director for Afghanistan at the International Rescue Committee, warned: “Deporting Afghans back to a country where almost half of the population cannot feed themselves is not a migration policy; it is a decision that could cost lives.”

Legal and Diplomatic Implications

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in July 2025 against two of the highest-ranking Taliban leaders — the Supreme Leader and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court — for crimes against humanity, specifically persecution on gender and political grounds. Neither Belgium nor the European Union officially recognizes the Taliban regime, and the UN Security Council maintains sanctions against it.

Legal experts point to additional risks. The European Court of Human Rights has already blocked deportations of Afghans where there is a real risk of ill-treatment. Afghan women are considered by the Court of Justice of the European Union as a persecuted social group, further complicating any systematic return policy.

What’s Next

As of June 9, no formal visa request has been submitted, and no specific date has been announced for the Taliban delegation’s visit. The MEPs’ letter adds political pressure on Prévot, who faces competing demands: from coalition partners pushing for migration enforcement, from opposition parties decrying engagement with an unrecognized regime, and from international legal obligations that may ultimately determine the outcome.

The episode represents a defining test for EU migration policy — one that pits operational pragmatism against foundational values, and that will be watched closely by human rights organizations, member states, and the Afghan diaspora alike.