The Dutch government has announced a fundamental change to its asylum policy regarding Afghanistan, citing the deteriorating security and human rights situation, particularly the conditions faced by women and girls.
On Thursday, May 28, the Dutch government stated that the decision was based on a new report by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The report covers the period from June 2023 to October 2025.
According to the report, the legal and social status of women and girls in Afghanistan has significantly worsened under Taliban rule.
The report notes that following the implementation of the Law for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in August 2024, women’s freedom of movement and their ability to participate in social and educational activities have been considerably restricted.
In a statement released by the Dutch government, it was noted that women and girls from Afghanistan will, in most cases, be eligible for asylum residence permits under the revised immigration policy.
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has also stated that, in principle, every female citizen of Afghanistan in the country who cites these conditions will be granted a temporary asylum residence permit.
The Dutch government has emphasized that the existing provisions within the country’s immigration law are no longer adequate to address the current situation in Afghanistan, and that new reforms will therefore be implemented.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, women and girls have been entirely barred from education, employment, and travel.
