On Thursday, the European Parliament adopted three resolutions addressing the worsening human rights situations in Afghanistan, Belarus, and Cuba,
calling for immediate action and sanctions in response to severe violations.
Afghanistan: Ending the Erasure of Women from Public Life
The European Parliament condemned the Taliban’s recent enforcement of Sharia law and its impact on women and girls in Afghanistan. MEPs expressed grave concern over the "Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice" law, which has led to the exclusion of women from public life. Afghan women are facing early forced marriages, sexual violence, flogging, and stoning. MEPs applauded the resilience of Afghan women and called for the recognition of gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.
The resolution demands that Afghanistan's de facto authorities be held accountable through an International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation and a UN Independent Investigative Mechanism. Additionally, the Parliament called for new EU sanctions against the Taliban and condemned countries that normalize relations with the regime. MEPs also urged the EU and donor states to increase humanitarian aid to support Afghan civil society and basic needs.
This resolution passed with 565 votes in favor, 8 against, and 43 abstentions.
Belarus: Release of Political Prisoners and Accountability for Persecution
MEPs raised concerns over the situation of political prisoners in Belarus, many of whom have been isolated, tortured, or denied access to family, lawyers, or the Red Cross. The Parliament demanded that Belarusian authorities immediately release all political prisoners and provide information about their conditions.
The resolution also highlighted the persecution of the 300,000 Belarusians forced into exile since 2020, calling for strengthened sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for the repression. MEPs urged the EU to hold the Lukashenka regime accountable for its crimes and human rights violations.
The resolution was passed by 549 votes in favor, 21 against, and 37 abstentions.
Cuba: Free José Daniel Ferrer García and Political Prisoners
The Parliament urged the Cuban government to immediately and unconditionally release José Daniel Ferrer García, a prominent political prisoner, along with all others arbitrarily detained for exercising their right to free expression and peaceful protest. MEPs condemned the ongoing human rights abuses, including torture and inhumane treatment of detainees, by Cuban authorities.
The Parliament reiterated its call for the EU member states to apply the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against those responsible for persistent violations in Cuba. MEPs also called for the suspension of the EU-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement, citing continuous breaches of the core human rights clauses by the Cuban regime.
The resolution was adopted with 380 votes in favor, 182 against, and 51 abstentions.
For full details of the resolutions, the complete versions will be available on the European Parliament’s website.