A group of Afghan citizens, refugees, human rights and women’s rights activists, and members of the international community protested yesterday against the Norwegian government’s decision to transfer Afghanistan’s consulate in Oslo to the Taliban. The protesters condemned this move as a blatant violation of international law, human dignity, and the ethical responsibilities of states, demanding an immediate reversal of the decision.
Accompanied by an official resolution, the protest emphasized that handing over Afghanistan’s diplomatic missions to the Taliban not only legitimizes an undemocratic and human rights-violating group but also poses serious security threats to Afghan refugees.
The Taliban: An Undemocratic and Human Rights-Violating Regime
In their resolution, the protesters stated that the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan through violence, without any legal legitimacy, and that granting them diplomatic representation violates the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. They argued that Norway’s decision disregards the Afghan people’s struggle for democracy and human rights.
The statement further highlighted that the Taliban have systematically violated human rights, particularly those of women, children, journalists, and civil society activists. The protesters stressed that under Taliban rule, Afghan women have been stripped of their fundamental rights, including education, employment, and social participation, while the suppression of dissent continues with extreme brutality.
One of the protesters’ primary concerns was the security risks this decision poses to Afghan refugees in Norway and beyond. They warned that transferring personal information of refugees to the Taliban could expose them and their families to persecution, repression, or even legal pursuit. This, they argued, endangers the privacy and safety of thousands of Afghans who fled Taliban violence.
The protesters challenged the Norwegian government, questioning how it could, on one hand, grant asylum to Afghans fleeing the Taliban while, on the other hand, recognizing and providing diplomatic facilities to the very group from which these refugees escaped. This contradictory stance, they said, undermines public trust in justice, humanity, and ethical principles in international politics.
Protesters’ Demands from the Norwegian Government
In their statement, the protesters called for urgent action from the Norwegian government, including:
• Revoking any formal or informal recognition of the Taliban and halting the transfer of diplomatic facilities to them.
• Supporting independent and legitimate representatives of the Afghan people.
• Implementing strong policies to protect the rights of women, ethnic groups, and victims of Taliban crimes.
• Ensuring the safety of Afghan refugees and providing transparent and neutral consular services.
• Pursuing international measures to prosecute Taliban leaders for crimes against humanity.
The protesters asserted that as long as the Taliban continue their undemocratic, misogynistic, and oppressive policies, any attempt to legitimize them would be a betrayal of human values and global conscience.
They reaffirmed their commitment to the fight for justice, freedom, and human dignity and urged the international community to break its silence against decisions that empower the Taliban at the expense of the Afghan people.