Minister justifies Netherlands’ case-by-case approach to Afghan women’s asylum requests

Caretaker Asylum Minister David van Weel said that Afghan women are not automatically entitled to asylum, even though the authorities in Afghanistan systematically oppress and persecute women who do not follow their rules. He emphasized that the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) evaluates each case individually, in response to parliamentary questions from D66, SP, and Volt.

The controversy began when the IND rejected the asylum applications of two Afghan women. After facing criticism, the agency explained its decisions two weeks ago. “There is no doubt that the Taliban oppress women,” the IND stated. “That is why the vast majority of asylum applications from Afghan women are approved.”

But the IND continues to assess each case individually, requiring women to show that they “cannot comply” with the Taliban’s rules and would face danger if returned. Van Weel sees no reason to alter this method and declined to comment on individual cases, including the two women whose applications were rejected.

The European Court of Justice considers the Taliban’s series of discriminatory measures against women to constitute persecution. Van Weel acknowledged the ruling but stated that it does not obligate authorities to grant a residence permit to every Afghan woman.

Parliamentarians also asked how Van Weel’s decision to return women aligns with the government’s own legal actions against Afghanistan. In September last year, the Netherlands, along with several other countries, held the Taliban responsible for systematic violations of the Women’s Convention. The minister offered no comment on this.