Rights Groups Urge Netherlands To End Afghan Envoy’s Mission Over Taliban Ties

More than 60 Afghan human rights organisations have called on the Dutch government to terminate the diplomatic mission of Asif Rahimi, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the Netherlands, citing his alleged allegiance to the Taliban.

In an open letter, the organisations claimed Rahimi is not acting as a neutral diplomat and has expressed loyalty to the Taliban. They raised concerns over his continued presence at the Afghan Embassy in The Hague, particularly in light of Afghanistan’s ongoing human rights crisis, including widespread violations of women’s rights.

Rahimi, who previously served under the former Afghan government, was among the first officials to declare cooperation with the Taliban following their takeover in 2021. According to sources cited by Afghanistan International, Rahimi receives between $20,000 and $30,000 per month from the group.

He has reportedly travelled to Kabul and met with Taliban officials to discuss ongoing cooperation. Rahimi also came under criticism after removing the national emblem and flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from the embassy’s social media platforms and website. Following public backlash, the symbols were later restored.

In the letter, obtained by Afghanistan International, the signatory organisations accused Rahimi of violating diplomatic neutrality and misusing embassy resources in Europe to unofficially represent Taliban interests.

The groups urged the Dutch government to clarify the legal and political status of the Afghan Embassy in The Hague and conduct a thorough review of its operations in line with the Netherlands’ obligations under international human rights conventions.

They stated that, should any formal affiliation with the Taliban be confirmed, the embassy’s diplomatic activities must be suspended.

The organisations warned that continuing to accommodate a figure allegedly aligned with a group accused of widespread human rights abuses would undermine the Netherlands’ credibility as a defender of international human rights.

The controversy comes as the International Criminal Court in The Hague investigates potential arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders, including Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani. The presence of key international legal institutions in the city, they noted, further underscores the importance of scrutinising the Afghan Embassy’s operations.