Landmark ECJ Ruling: Gender and Nationality Sufficient for Afghan Women's Asylum

The European Court of Justice ruled that Afghan women can be granted asylum based on gender and nationality alone. Austria had denied asylum to two Afghan women, prompting the ruling. The decision underscores the plight of Afghan women under the Taliban regime, which has curtailed women's rights.

In a pivotal decision, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) has declared that gender and nationality alone are enough grounds for Afghan women to be granted asylum. The ruling comes after Austrian authorities rejected the asylum applications of two Afghan women in 2015 and 2020.

The case was escalated to the Austrian Supreme Administrative Court, which sought the ECJ's judgment. The top European Union court emphasized that it is not necessary to prove an applicant will face specific persecution risks upon returning to Afghanistan, only that they belong to groups at risk under Taliban rule.

This ruling highlights the deteriorating situation for women in Afghanistan, with severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban on education, work, and daily life. The decision follows calls from global human rights leaders urging the Taliban to abolish oppressive gender-based laws.

(With inputs from agencies.)