EU's Afghanistan Dilemma: Visas for Taliban Signal Engagement Over Rights

Belgium issued visas to Taliban delegates for an EU migration meeting in Brussels, sparking criticism from rights groups and MEPs. The move exposes a structural contradiction: Europe needs Taliban cooperation for humanitarian access and migrant returns, yet publicly condemns the regime's December 2024 ban on women's medical training. Engagement without red lines risks signaling that severe repression doesn't bar participation in EU forums, complicating Europe's stated human rights commitments.