The European Union has imposed sanctions on three senior officials in the Afghan Taliban government due to the ban on women’s education. A total of 18 individuals and five organizations have been subjected to sanctions, according to the American news agency “Associated Press.”

European Sanctions

The agency stated that among the key figures in the Taliban on the list are the Minister of Education, Habibullah Agha, the Minister of Justice, Abdul Hakim Sharai, and the Acting Chief Judge, Abdul Hakim Haqqani. The European Union stated that in Afghanistan, women have not only been deprived of the right to education but also faced gender-based discrimination in all aspects of life, including legal representation.

However, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that the sanctions have had opposite results and have not helped anyone. He added that if there are any concerns, they should be resolved through agreement.

Serious Violations

Political analyst Ahmed Khan Andar, according to Tolo News, said, “It is clear that the gap between the Afghan Taliban government and the international community for political interaction will widen if Afghan officials do not travel to foreign countries for meetings.”

The European Union imposed sanctions on 18 individuals and five organizations on Thursday of this week due to “serious human rights violations and abuses” in Afghanistan, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

The American agency pointed out that over time, the situation for citizens in Afghanistan has become dire, with people still facing food shortages, and basic living comforts remain distant from most segments of the population. Furthermore, the situation for women in the country has worsened.

It is now prohibited for women in the state to hold leadership positions, work, or even travel without male companionship, and there is still no information about when or if these schools will reopen, or if the ban will be lifted indefinitely.