THE EU today faced calls to intervene to protect women's rights and combat the drug trade in Afghanistan.
Speaking after a European Parliament debate on ensuring the new Afghanistan doesn't repeat the mistakes of the Taliban, London's Green Party MEP Jean Lambert said:
"The essential work of reconstructing Afghanistan must be founded on solid economic foundations and the EU has a key role to play in making this happen. I fully support moves to end poppy cultivation in the country but we have to understand that if we are to end this industry for good we have to think of the farmers whose livelihoods are dependent on this dangerous trade. The EU can play a role here in helping farmers switch to the cultivation of other crops, freeing them from dependence on the drug trade.
"The situation of women in the country remains utterly unacceptable some two years since the fall of the Taliban. Progress has been all too slow in increasing access for women to education and to civil society more generally. I know of an excellent project in Kabul working to improve the condition of women who have been imprisoned, often on grounds which seem incredible to us. It is this kind of programme that should be extended and replicated across the country and I call on the EU to be generous in resourcing such initiatives."
ENDS
For
more information please contact Katy Randles or Ben Duncan on 020 7407 6280, 07973
823358 or at press@greenmeps.org.uk