“To all international organizations and EU Don’t leave us alone with the Taliban”. This is how he expressed himself in Madrid this Wednesday Obaida Sharar Sharify, He is one of 21 Afghan prosecutors and judges who have been in our country since last December after a tough international protection process. they survived In a painful and disorderly situation in Islamabad (Pakistan)After Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021, they fled at significant risk of deportation and almost certain death.
A representation of these women received a caluros this Wednesdayor homage to the Madrid Bar Associationd Accompanied by those who have returned to their countries through the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This initial assignment was a personal effort by members of the group. lawyer organization 14 Lawyers and the european association of judges and prosecutors meanwho continue to work to help their relatives 150 prosecutors men and women currently in pakistan Waiting for an interview at the Spanish Embassy In Islamabad, in order to provide international protection in our country. Women are flying to Spain from Islamabad, at their own expense, after realizing that the pressure exerted by these organizations is forcing the Spanish Government to speed up procedures.
The story of these women’s rescue includes the lawyer’s trip last summer. Ignacio Rodriguez Tucho next to you prosecutors Iria González, Inés Herreros and Polish judge Monika Frackowiak They witnessed Islamabad, the perilous plight of some women here. took a step forward to contribute to the building of a democratic Afghanistan After the Taliban came to power, it collapsed and The abandonment of the international community.
Rodríguez Tucho during the event, since January 1 government Pakistan aggravated the situation further toughening the immigration policy towards Afghan citizens; from that date any Afghan citizen in an irregular situation (including having an expired visa) liable to deportation Ask Afghanistan immediately, according to 14lawyers attorney, Spanish embassy in Islamabad lacks resources. “There’s only one person taking care of all this, and that’s insufficient,” he explained.
For now, both Obaida and his friends Farestha Parwani, Shamael Ahmadzai, Farahnaz Sahar, Hussnia Bakhtiyari, Fawzia Salihi, Gulalai Hotak and Fatima Rashidi They were able to thank publicly for their transfer to our country, where they resided in apartments managed by the Red Cross and supported by international organisations. The five members of the original group have already chosen other countries, such as Canada or the United States, to rebuild their lives.
According to their testimonies, they had been living sporadically for months. no access to health or education services for their children – they could not even report a robbery in their home – and constantly fearing that they or a relative would be detained and deported by the police. Everything outside the system, such as housing or medical benefits, was also very expensive, Obaida herself points out: Life in Spain is “more affordable”.
lawyers in Pakistan
Deputy board of directors intervened on behalf of the Madrid Bar Association Teresa Mínguez, president of the international region, He said he remembers how, since the arrival of the Taliban, a decree was passed that prohibited Afghan lawyers from appearing in court if they were not accredited by the Taliban. His coming to power led to the collapse of the entire judicial system in the country,” he said. pointed out.
Herreros, president of the Progressive Prosecutors Union (UPF) and one of the main supporters of this project, fondly remembered the first time he saw these women in Islamabad. said moment.
international protection
It also stated international protection is a right that binds all democratic governments. “We think something like this would never happen to us, but The only difference between us and these women is the circumstances surrounding us.changing, he added. If women are threatened in any country in the world, all women in the world are threatened.”
on his behalf Portuguese judge Filipe Marqués, former president of Medel Pointing out that this operation in Islamabad should be the starting point of “something bigger”, the Minister added that Spain has the responsibility and opportunity to mobilize all European governments from 1 July, when the Union’s European presidency begins. “It’s not just a moral duty, it’s a legal duty”, he remembered.
Remote intervention was also included in the event. From Islamabad of Niyaz Mohammed Rasikh, Afghan Prosecutors Association representative in exileHe demanded speed in obtaining a visa from Spain. “We need international protection,” he insisted.
More than a hundred men and women currently waiting for an interview at the Spanish Embassy in Pakistan have been waiting for an appointment for a year. Also, while there are 120 judges in the same situation in Iran, it is estimated that there are still judges. 2,500 human rights lawyers, judges and prosecutors remain in Afghanistan surviving the taliban hell.