Statement by ministers Joly, Hussen and Miller on third year since fall of Kabul, Afghanistan

August 15, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, today issued the following statement:

“It has been 3 years since the Taliban took over Afghanistan. During this time, 2 decades of gains in democracy, human rights and education have eroded in the country and for its people. The treatment of women and girls by the Taliban is nothing short of horrifying. The egregious violations of women’s and girls’ human rights have led to restrictions on their freedom of movement and dress as well as their access to education, health services and justice, along with their ability to work. Women and girls have become prisoners in their homes and communities and have little hope for a brighter future.

“Under the Taliban, ethnic and religious minorities and other vulnerable groups continue to face violence and marginalization. This includes persistent persecution and violence targeting Hazaras, Ahmadis, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, and LGBTQ persons. Peaceful demonstrations are met with arbitrary arrests and brutality, and the country has once again become a safe haven for terrorist groups. This has terrible consequences for Afghanistan, for regional stability and for international security.

 “Canada has a long-standing tradition of responding to the needs of vulnerable people. Since 2021, Canada has provided $243 million in funding for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan and $108 million in support of basic needs, health, education and women’s and girls’ rights and empowerment there.

“We have provided support for human rights defenders in exile and have resettled more than 53,600 Afghans in the second-largest Afghan resettlement program in the world. Canada has also been working with Afghanistan’s neighbours to strengthen counter-terrorism capabilities.

“Canada is an active party to the UN-led ‘Doha [Qatar] process’ on Afghanistan, which seeks a political road map, and we will continue to use this forum to advocate strongly for the reinstatement of full respect for women’s and girls’ rights and for their and civil society’s meaningful participation in the political process.

“While the situation continues to evolve in Afghanistan, our message remains the same: We stand by the people of Afghanistan in their fight for a stable, secure and peaceful Afghanistan where no one lives in fear or under oppression.”