Amnesty International Holds Symbolic Protests in 40 Belgian Cities in Solidarity with Afghan Women
Amnesty International Holds Symbolic Protests in 40 Belgian Cities in Solidarity with Afghan Women
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Amnesty International activists in Belgium have organized symbolic protests across approximately 40 cities and municipalities to condemn restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women and girls in Afghanistan and call for stronger action by the Belgian government and the international community.
According to Afghanistan’s Shafaqna news agency, one of the demonstrations took place at Forest Park in Brussels, where participants unfurled a 25-meter-long banner bearing the words “Women Not Allowed.” The demonstration sought to highlight the restrictions preventing Afghan women and girls from accessing public spaces and exercising their fundamental rights.
Participants also formed a human chain and displayed messages of solidarity with Afghan women, drawing attention to restrictions that have intensified since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
Karin Thibault, head of the French-language section of Amnesty International Belgium, said that Afghan women would not be permitted to enter a public park such as Forest Park under the restrictions imposed by the Taliban authorities. She highlighted measures affecting girls’ access to education, women’s participation in sports, employment opportunities, freedom of expression and involvement in public life.
As part of the campaign, Amnesty International said it had collected nearly 27,000 signatures on a petition addressed to Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévost. The petition calls for a stronger response to human rights violations in Afghanistan. The organization also announced plans to deliver the signatures alongside a photo album documenting the demonstrations held across Belgium.
The campaign extended to around 40 cities and municipalities, where local Amnesty International groups worked with institutions and activists to place signs reading “No Entry for Women and Girls” at the entrances of hundreds of locations. These included schools, universities, public parks, government buildings and sports stadiums. The signs were intended to illustrate the restrictions Afghan women and girls face in accessing education and participating in public life.
Amnesty International urged the Belgian government to increase political and diplomatic pressure on the Taliban and support the establishment of an effective international mechanism to hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable. The organization also called for an end to negotiations concerning the forced return of Afghan nationals to Afghanistan.
The organization warned that discussions about forced returns could undermine efforts to hold the Taliban accountable and risk normalizing policies that restrict women’s and girls’ rights.
The demonstrations aimed to keep the situation of Afghan women and girls on the international agenda, emphasizing the importance of protecting their access to education, employment, public spaces and other fundamental freedoms.
