The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation has reiterated that it remains "committed to freedom and human rights" in Afghanistan, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the Taliban's return to power.
The department headed by José Manuel Albares has insisted, through a message disseminated on its social networks, that "there can be no diplomatic normalization without respect for human dignity."
Since the Taliban took control of the country, they have established a true gender apartheid on a national scale. Among other restrictions, girls are banned from accessing education beyond secondary schooling.
One of the most recent episodes of this structural oppression occurred last May. The so-called 'Decree 18' legitimizes arranged marriages during childhood, reinforces the power of male guardians over marital decisions, and adds new obstacles for women and girls to question or break these unions.
"After five years of Taliban rule, Afghan women and girls continue to be subjected to discrimination and the Afghan people are suffering a serious humanitarian crisis," the Ministry highlighted in its message.
At the same time, the fundamentalist Taliban regime began this Saturday the events to commemorate its return to power five years ago, issuing a call for "peace and tranquility" in its relations with the international community. At the same time, it warned again that it will not accept external interference in its way of governing Afghanistan, where its fundamentalist interpretation of sharia, Islamic law, prevails.
"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to live in peace and tranquility with all countries, will not allow Afghan soil to be used against any other country, and asks other nations to respect the territory and interests of Afghanistan," the official note disseminated by the main national media states.