Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), and the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, issued this statement:
"Canada strongly condemns the ongoing repression, systematic human rights abuses and erosion of fundamental freedoms under Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
"Four years after the Taliban's return to power, Afghanistan remains in the grip of a deepening crisis. The reversal of rights, especially for women and girls, has been devastating. Millions of Afghan girls are denied their right to education. For women, opportunities to work, speak freely and live a dignified life without fear have been eliminated.
"The space for civil society has been extinguished, and any form of democratic expression or inclusive political participation dismantled. The Taliban has shown no intention of establishing a representative government. Terrorist organizations are once again operating in a permissive environment, posing a serious risk to regional and global security.
"The Taliban must be held accountable for their actions. There can be no normalization of relations with the Taliban until there is tangible progress on human rights, inclusive governance, and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
"At the height of the crisis, Canadians opened their hearts to help the people of Afghanistan. More than 59,000 Afghans have arrived in Canada since the fall of Kabul in 2021. During this period, Canada has also provided more than $143 million in funding for basic needs assistance, such as healthcare and education and more than $290 million in funding to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance, such as food and nutrition, emergency health services, clean water and sanitation, and protection services, to the people of Afghanistan.
"Canada reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and remains committed to supporting a peaceful, inclusive, and secure future where all Afghan people can live free of fear or repression. Canada calls for the full restoration of and respect for human rights in Afghanistan and for the meaningful participation of Afghan people in shaping their own political future.
"Canada stands by the people of Afghanistan in their fight for a stable, secure and peaceful Afghanistan where no one lives in fear or under oppression."
