France Negotiates with Taliban for Afghan Refugee Repatriation

France has initiated technical negotiations with the Taliban government aimed at facilitating the return of Afghan refugees lacking documentation. The primary goal of these discussions is to assist the repatriation of Afghans accused of public disorder violations.

France Engages with the Taliban on Afghan Refugee Repatriation

France is currently conducting technical discussions with the Taliban government to expedite the process of repatriating undocumented Afghan refugees, particularly those accused of public disorder violations. A diplomatic source shed light on this matter during a conversation with the Agence France-Presse on Thursday, October 8.

The primary aim of these negotiations is to create conditions for the return of Afghans who have been living illegally in France or have been convicted of crimes in French courts. Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Paris severed its diplomatic ties with Kabul, and the French embassy in Afghanistan remains closed.

Hundreds of Afghan Refugees May Return to France

The French government, in collaboration with around 20 EU countries, including Germany, Belgium, and Sweden, is striving to accelerate the repatriation process for these refugees. Although official statistics regarding the number of returnees have not been released, some sources predict that it could amount to hundreds.

French Foreign Ministry: Talks With the Taliban Don’t Indicate Recognition

The French Foreign Ministry has confirmed that these negotiations commenced in July and emphasized that they do not signify any change in Paris’s policy towards the Taliban or an acknowledgment of the group. The ministry also continues to oppose human rights violations and the deprivation of Afghan women and girls from education and work opportunities.

Kabul in Contact with European Countries

A source within the Taliban government has also indicated that European countries are in communication with Kabul regarding the refugees. This comes in the wake of a previous meeting between Taliban representatives and members of the European Parliament in June, which faced significant criticism from human rights organizations and leftist groups.