Asylum for Afghan journalist
Deputy Durkan asked for an expedited asylum application for Afghan journalist Nahid Bashardost because of the danger posed by the Taliban. The Taoiseach described the situation for women in Afghanistan as appalling and asked for the details so the Minister could follow through.
Nahid Bashardost is an Afghan woman journalist who has highlighted human rights abuses widely in recent years and is now in fear of her life from the Taliban. I ask the Taoiseach to use his good offices to facilitate an early application for asylum here, given her record and given the existence of humanitarian grounds.
Comment on this
The situation facing women in Afghanistan is truly appalling. The vista ahead of them is an appalling one. Notwithstanding criticism from some in the House about western engagement with Afghanistan over the past 20 years or so, one of the benefits that arose was the liberation of women to a certain extent particularly with access to education and schools. The Taliban is back in charge with its very regressive views on women in general and women's access to education. I ask the Deputy to provide the details and the Minister will certainly follow through.