G7 leaders to meet on Afghanistan and rally support for refugees

G7 leaders are due to meet on Tuesday for urgent talks on Afghanistan as part of the accelerated efforts to evacuate thousands of foreign and Afghan nationals from Kabul airport.

The summit, which will be held virtually, was called by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the “Group of 7” wealthy nations.

“It is vital that the international community work together to ensure safe evacuations, prevent a humanitarian crisis and help the Afghan people protect the gains of the past 20 years,” Johnson said on Twitter.

Taliban militants seized control of the Afghan capital last Sunday, ending their lightning advance across the country that caused civilians and government officials to flee.

Massive evacuations
Western governments have spent the past week orchestrating a mass evacuation of their citizens, as well as Afghans who have become targets for the Taliban after working with foreign governments.

G7 foreign ministers have already called on the Taliban to guarantee the safety of those who wish to leave, stressing the need for “all parties to respect international humanitarian law”.

Johnson is expected to pressure US President Joe Biden to keep US troops at Kabul airport beyond the end of August, as thousands continue to flow in hopes of getting on board of an airplane.

The Taliban, who are tightening their grip on the area surrounding the airport, say the United States is to blame for the ongoing chaos that has seen at least seven civilians trampled to death.

On Monday, activists warned of the “consequences” if the United States and its allies extend the presence of their troops beyond next week.

Refugee commitments
Britain has said it will welcome 5,000 Afghan refugees this year and up to 20,000 in total over five years – and called on other countries to follow through on its pledge by “providing a lifeline to the most vulnerable. Afghanistan ”.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said funds would be given to EU countries resettling Afghan refugees. She also said the committee would consider increasing its humanitarian aid budget by € 57 million for Afghanistan.

Von der Leyen stressed the need for non-EU countries to step up efforts to help Afghan refugees, adding that she would raise the issue with G7 leaders this week.

The United Nations Human Rights Council, meanwhile, will hold a special session in Geneva on Tuesday to address “serious human rights concerns.”

Parisian solidarity march
Hundreds of Afghan refugees gathered in central Paris on Sunday to denounce a lack of French support for Afghans at risk, and to advocate for aid for their families back home.

“A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding,” declared the organizer of the event Reza Jafari, head of the Children of Afghanistan and elsewhere association.

“We must prevent it now, open humanitarian corridors so that people who want to leave can leave.”

The protest followed a speech last week by President Emmanuel Macron, who warned that Europe should mobilize against an influx of migrants.

“We were really waiting for the support of the French state and President Macron,” Ezatwazir Tarakhail, a 31-year-old refugee, told France 24.

“But instead of talking about people in danger, he abandons us and talks about fighting against waves of refugees.”

So far, France has evacuated some 850 people from Kabul to Paris via its Abu Dhabi air base.