France accepting applications from Afghan women refugees

A court in France has issued a historic decision granting asylum to Afghan women refugees. Judges at the French National Court of Asylum have cited Taliban actions against “women’s rights and freedoms” as the basis for this decision.

In a statement, the court noted that since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have “harmed the fundamental rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls.”

The court recognizes all Afghan women as a social group eligible for protection as refugees.

The French National Court of Asylum stated it follows a ruling issued on January 16 by the European Union Court of Justice.

Previously, the EU Court of Justice issued a ruling under which women could seek asylum if they “are subjected to physical or psychological violence due to their gender in their country of origin.”

The statement added that under the Geneva Convention, Taliban actions against women, such as restricting access to health and education services, freedom of movement, and excluding them from governmental structures, constitute “serious discrimination” and “persecution.”

Under this court ruling, Afghan women fleeing discriminatory acts and persecution by the Taliban in their country can now apply for asylum in France with a high chance of acceptance.

Afghans have applied for asylum in France in the past five years more than any other nationality.

According to data from the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons, Afghan citizens submitted 17,103 asylum applications in 2022, which represents 15% of the total asylum applications in France.

Previously, Sweden and Denmark also announced that they would automatically grant asylum to Afghan women refugees due to discriminatory policies by the Taliban against Afghan women.

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