The European Union has issued a strong condemnation of the recent public executions carried out by the Taliban in Afghanistan, labeling them a grave violation of human dignity and a disturbing setback for fundamental human rights.
According to a statement released on Saturday, four men were executed publicly in three provinces: Nimroz, Badghis, and Farah. While details surrounding the crimes or judicial processes involved remain limited, the EU has made clear its unequivocal stance against the death penalty under any circumstances.
“The European Union, as a matter of principle, strongly opposes the death penalty at all times and in all circumstances,” the statement reads. “It is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent to crime and represents an unacceptable denial of the fundamental right to life and human dignity.”
The executions have sparked concern not only for the method of punishment but also for the lack of transparency and due process in the Taliban’s judicial proceedings since their return to power in 2021. The EU’s statement adds to growing international pressure on the Taliban to comply with international human rights standards, particularly those related to fair trial guarantees and the prohibition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
Public executions, a practice long abandoned in most countries, have re-emerged in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan despite global condemnation. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that such spectacles only fuel fear and repression, particularly in the absence of independent legal institutions.
The EU has called on the Taliban authorities to “stop any future executions” and instead “pursue a policy towards the abolition of capital punishment.” This aligns with the EU’s broader foreign policy goals, which include the promotion of human rights, the rule of law, and the global abolition of the death penalty.
As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve under Taliban rule, the international community remains vigilant. The EU’s statement serves as both a condemnation and a call for reform — urging Afghanistan’s de facto rulers to respect life, dignity, and international norms.
