Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the European Commission to cancel its plan to invite the Taliban to Brussels.
In a statement issued on Monday, May 18, the organization said the invitation comes as the Taliban continue to suppress media outlets and enforce censorship.
Tom Gibson said, “It is shameful that while the Taliban attacks the media, the European Commission is inviting them to travel to Brussels.”
He added that such a move legitimizes a regime responsible for severe repression and censorship, while strengthening the Taliban’s propaganda position as an international actor.
The organization stressed that the European Commission should cancel such plans.
According to reports, the technical talks are expected to focus on the return of rejected asylum seekers and Afghan nationals convicted of crimes.
CPJ also stated that since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have shut down independent media outlets, imprisoned journalists, and heavily censored Afghanistan’s media environment.
