The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Canada on Saturday condemned the Taliban’s repression and human rights violations in Afghanistan five years after the group seized power, saying it will not support normalization of relations until there is demonstrable progress on human rights, inclusive governance and fundamental freedoms.
In a joint statement marking the fifth anniversary of the Taliban takeover, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai said Afghanistan continues to face a worsening humanitarian, political and human rights crisis.
The Canadian officials said the Taliban has institutionalized what they described as an ideological system of extreme repression targeting women and girls. Millions of Afghan girls remain barred from education, while women face restrictions on employment, movement and freedom of expression, they said.
The statement also accused the Taliban of restricting journalists, silencing human rights defenders and civil society groups, and persecuting ethnic and religious minorities.
Canada said the Taliban has taken no steps toward establishing an inclusive and representative government and warned that terrorist organizations continue to operate in Afghanistan, creating risks for regional and global security.
“The Taliban must be held accountable for their actions,” Anand and Sarai said. Canada, they added, will not support the normalization of relations until meaningful progress is made on human rights, inclusive governance and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
Despite its position on the Taliban, Canada said it has continued to provide assistance to Afghans facing humanitarian needs.
Since 2021, Canada has contributed more than $143 million toward basic needs assistance, including health care and education, and more than $315 million in life-saving humanitarian aid, including food and nutrition, emergency health services, clean water and sanitation, and protection services.
“Canada remains steadfast in supporting the people of Afghanistan,” the statement said, adding that Ottawa supports their aspirations for a stable, peaceful and secure country where the rights and dignity of everyone are respected.
