The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) intends to deport at least two women back to Afghanistan, according to an investigation by Trouw. One of these women is 79 years old and, according to the agency, is deemed insufficiently ‘Westernized.’ As a result, she is believed to be less likely to struggle with adhering to the strict rules imposed by the Taliban.
Under the Taliban’s rule, the rights of women in Afghanistan have been increasingly restricted over the past few years, despite the group’s promises of reform. “The oppression of women and girls is immense and only continues to grow,” stated Rachel Reid, an expert at the Afghanistan Analysts Network, earlier this year in an interview with NU.nl.
The IND also plans to deport a 59-year-old woman, who, based on her previous experiences in Afghanistan, is believed by the agency to be capable of “conforming” to life under the Taliban.
Her lawyer told Trouw that the rationale behind the deportation policy is “inexplicable,” primarily due to the dual role of Minister Van Weel.
Van Weel serves as the Minister of Asylum and Migration, overseeing the IND, while also holding the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Last year, his ministry, in collaboration with Germany and Canada, initiated proceedings against Afghanistan at the International Court of Justice, specifically addressing the Taliban’s oppression of women and girls.
Additionally, the European Court of Justice ruled last October that there is “systematic discrimination” against women under the Taliban in Afghanistan. This situation can be classified as “persecution,” according to the court, allowing Afghan women to be recognized as refugees without the need for the usual individual assessments.
However, a defense submitted by the state attorney, which Trouw has reviewed, indicates that the IND interprets the court’s ruling differently. The agency does not view the court’s decision as an obligation to grant residence permits to Afghan women. They must demonstrate that they are at risk of becoming victims of the Taliban regime. This was reportedly not the case for the 59-year-old woman. The Council of State is set to review her case soon.
Recently, dozens of Afghans have been applying for asylum in the Netherlands each month. Of all ongoing asylum applications from Afghans that were submitted earlier, 58 percent were granted in the past year.
It has now been over four years since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan. The entire population suffers under the authoritarian regime of the jihadists, but women and girls bear the brunt of this oppression.
