Afghanistan Issue Important to Some American Voters, Reports US Media

However, moving forward, entry into Afghanistan will only be permitted for foreign citizens holding visas obtained from embassies that are recognised and cooperate with the Taliban administration.

The ministry clarified that consular services provided by Afghanistan's diplomatic missions in countries including the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, Australia, and in the cities of Bonn and Berlin, are now deemed "invalid."

The Taliban attributed this decision to "administrative corruption," "lack of transparency," and "lack of coordination" with their Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul.

Currently, only the consular services from Afghanistan's embassies in Spain, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic are considered valid, as these missions coordinate with the Taliban.

This measure is a part of the Taliban's broader effort to gain control over Afghanistan's international diplomatic missions. As a result, many Afghan migrants may now face the inconvenience of traveling long distances, potentially hundreds or thousands of kilometers, to obtain, renew, or verify consular documents.

The Coordination Council of Afghan Embassies and Consulates criticised the Taliban's new policy as "short-sighted," noting the additional hardships it imposes on Afghan migrants.

Over the past three years, the Taliban had accepted consular documents from all Afghan diplomatic missions but had also encouraged these missions to collaborate with their Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Abbasi reported that she has not received any information regarding his whereabouts since then.

According to Abbasi, other deportees informed her that Baqir Abbasi was identified and subsequently detained by the Taliban. She noted that her husband had previously served as a member of the security forces under the former Afghan government.

The Taliban has not provided any official comment on Baqir Abbasi's detention yet.
Fariba Abbasi recounted that on July 16, several migrants deported from Iran along with her husband had been recognised and apprehended by the Taliban at Islam Qala in Herat. She has had no further news about her husband's status since that incident.

In a video message sent to Afghanistan International, Fariba Abbasi appealed to the United Nations for assistance in securing her husband's release from Taliban’s custody.
This development comes amid Iran's recent intensification of deportations targeting undocumented migrants. Sources previously informed Afghanistan International that the Taliban had detained two other former government soldiers, Gul Nabi and Pacha Gul, in the Dawlat Shah district of Laghman province, following their deportation from Iran. These sources indicated that the individuals had served as local police officers under the previous Afghan administration.

Furthermore, Ehsan Niro, a spokesperson for the National Movement Party of Afghanistan, confirmed on July 22 that Ezzatullah, a former commander within the party, was killed by unknown assailants in Sar-e Pul shortly after being deported from Iran.

In a statement released on Monday, Hengaw noted a significant rise in anti-Afghan racism within the country, both at the governmental and social levels.

The organisation labelled the deportation of Afghan migrants and the imposition of residency restrictions as "apartheid," urging both Iranian and international human rights and civil society organisations to address this issue.

The statement highlighted the recent arrest of Kobra Gholami, stating, "Kobra Gholami was threatened with deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan for not complying with compulsory hijab laws, which exemplifies the severe injustice faced by Afghan migrants."

Hengaw expressed deep concern over the worsening human rights situation for Afghans under Taliban rule and the rising social hostility towards Afghan migrants in Iran. The statement also pointed out that despite having lived and worked in Iran for years, many Afghan migrants are denied residency permits in numerous provinces. Hengaw cautioned that the continuation of these practices could result in a humanitarian crisis.

The organisation also reported that at least 25 Afghan prisoners have been executed in Iranian prisons over the past seven months. Following the Taliban's seizure of Kabul in August 2021, a considerable number of Afghan citizens sought refuge in Iran. Experts note that this migration was driven by multiple factors, including fear of Taliban reprisals, economic hardships, and the pursuit of educational opportunities for girls.

During the session, OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha reviewed the organisation's initiatives and efforts related to the situation in Afghanistan.

In his remarks, Taha also discussed broader issues such as peace, security, stability, and development within OIC member states, as well as the protection of Muslim communities and minority rights.

The situation in Jammu and Kashmir was also a point of discussion.

While the OIC's official statement provided limited details on the specifics of the meeting, the organisation has consistently advocated for the rights of Afghan women and girls, particularly emphasising on their access to education and employment.

Earlier this year, the OIC's Deputy and Special Representative for Afghanistan visited the country and highlighted the necessity of educational opportunities for girls during discussions with Taliban officials.

Kabir also encouraged Western countries to reopen their embassies in Kabul, emphasising on the importance of addressing Afghan matters from within the country.

Kabir, who was in Qatar for the funeral of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' Political Bureau, met with several Western ambassadors in Doha on Sunday evening.

According to a statement released by Hamidullah Fitrat, the Taliban's deputy spokesperson, the meeting included representatives from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Italy, Australia, and South Korea.

The statement highlighted that Kabir assured the Western diplomats of the prevailing security and stability in Afghanistan.

Since the Taliban's rise to power in August 2021, Western embassies in Kabul have been closed, with their diplomatic functions typically being managed from Doha, Qatar. Taliban officials have consistently called for these embassies to be reopened in Kabul to facilitate direct engagement.