Strasbourg, 19/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - In a resolution on Afghanistan adopted last Thursday, the EP strongly condemns the decision taken by the Talibans to destroy the statues of Bamyian and the national museum, decision that adds to the terrifying record of this regime known for its policy of discriminations based on sex and its systematic opposition to the exercise of practically all individual liberties. The EP condemns the oppression of which Afghan women are the primary victims, as well as the continued displacement and massacres of certain minorities, and notably the assassination of over three hundred Hazaras in the province of Bamyian in January. It calls on the Council and Commission to submit initiatives at the session o the UN Commission on Human Rights, that opens in Geneva this week, and on Pakistan to close down the Islamic recruitment centres and schools that the Taliban own on its territory. The EP welcomes the new EU common position (stepping up sanctions: Ed) and calls on the Council to coordinate its initiatives with neighbouring countries, especially Russia, India and Iran.
During the debate,, British Labour MEP Barbara O'Toole deplored the destruction of a heritage that dates back to the 2nd century and condemned this "regime that is going to drag its population back to the Middle Ages". Belgian Radical, Olivier Dupuis called for concrete measures to be taken against this regime of "fanatics" which has "taken its population hostage", and recommended firm support for General Massoud, as did Philippe Morillon (French, EPP), who spoke out in favour of parachuting supplies in areas inaccessible to NGOs. "Faced with these acts of vandalism, dialogue with these people seems most difficult", Commissioner Erkki Liikanen acknowledged, recalling that the oppression of the Taliban regime had forced over half a million people to flee the country, and that, over five years, the EU had provided humanitarian assistance of over 100 million euro to the displaced populations.