France Extends Protection to 5 Afghan Women Facing Taliban Threat

In an announcement made by the French Office for Immigration and Integration, it was revealed that five Afghan women, who were in danger due to threats from the Taliban in Afghanistan, will find refuge in France. These women, who had fled to neighboring Pakistan seeking temporary safety, will now be welcomed in France.

After enduring a perilous journey, the Afghan women are scheduled to arrive at Roissy Airport. They had escaped the Taliban regime, which regained control of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021. Among the group are a former university director, an advisor to a non-governmental organization, a television program host, and a teacher from a clandestine school in Kabul. Unfortunately, they were unable to evacuate Afghanistan during the Western airlift operations. Notably, one of the women arrived with three children.

Following the guidance of the French President, particular focus is being given to women who face significant threats from the Taliban due to their prominent societal positions or close ties with the West. The director of the Office of Immigration, Didier Leschi, acknowledged the ongoing Operation Afghan, stating that similar evacuations may be repeated for other Afghan women in similar circumstances.

Upon their arrival, the women will initially be housed in a reception center in Paris, where they will be registered as asylum seekers. Subsequently, they will be relocated to long-term accommodations while their cases are assessed by the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons.

President Emmanuel Macron had previously pledged unwavering support for Afghan women during the evacuation efforts in the summer of 2021. According to official records, France has evacuated a total of 15,769 individuals from spring 2021 until the end of July 2023.