Afghanistan: Western countries, EU call on Taliban to keep girls’ schools open

Six Western countries, including the United States and the European Union, have called on the Taliban to “urgently review” their decision to close girls’ secondary schoolswith a joint announcement made public.

France, Italy, Norway, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, as well as the EU High Representative, have warned that the decision would have “far-reaching consequences for girls in Afghanistan”.that it may erase the ambition of the current Afghan authorities to make the country a “member of the community of nations that will be respected”.

“It will inevitably have an impact on the Taliban’s chances of securing political support and legitimacy, both at home and abroad.”continues the joint statement, which also underlines the consequences for the “social cohesion” and the “economic development of the country”.

“Every Afghan citizen, whether boy or girl, man or woman, has an equal right to education at all levels, in all provinces of the country.”is added to the text.

The Taliban, fundamentalist Sunnis who have regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the day before yesterday, Wednesday, they withdrew from the decision to allow girls to attend high schools and lyceums, just a few hours after their reopening, without clearly explaining why.

The decision was announced as many schoolgirls had just returned to their classes.

The seven months in power, the Taliban imposed many restrictions on women. They were excluded from public sector jobs; they were forced to wear a strict dress code; they were barred from leaving their place of residence without a male escort.

Earlier in the day, France condemned the ruling, which it described as “extremely worrying”, saying it violated public commitments made by the Taliban.