Afghanistan – Communiqué issued by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (15 Aug. 2020)

France has been made aware of the signature by the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on 10 August of a decree ordering the release of 400 Taliban prisoners.

This decision comes in the context of the peace process which France stands ready to support with a view to a political solution protecting the republican institutions and the democratic achievements on human rights existing since 2001. It is essential that the process to overcome the crisis should address the needs of the conflict’s victims and that the perpetrators of criminal acts should be held fully accountable for those acts.

In this regard, France is especially concerned by the presence among the people likely to be released of several terrorists sentenced for the murders of French citizens in Afghanistan. It is firmly opposed to the release of individuals sentenced for committing crimes against French nationals, in particular soldiers and humanitarian workers who worked with dedication, alongside our Afghan partners, to ensure the safety of and assistance to people in need.

We have consequently urged the Afghan authorities not to proceed with the release of those terrorists.