Greece, in recent months, has welcomed many high-profile Afghan dissidents fleeing their homeland.
Athens, in particular, has been a safe haven for more than 700 Afghan female judges, lawmakers, journalists and lawyers, along with their families. These women, no longer welcome in their own country after the Taliban takeover in August, have been assisted by NGOs, international aid groups and other individuals who have lobbied on their behalf.
Politico reports that American philanthropist Ahmed Khan had coordinated an initiative to ensure safe haven for dozens of women from Afghanistan and their families, who are currently in Greece following fast-track authorisation given by Greek officials. In late September, Mr Kahn coordinated the practicalities of the organisation of the movement to ensure the cost of food, lodging, health insurance etc.
The exchange paved the way for more high-profile Afghan evacuees to Greece in what Mr Khan said is a “flawless partnership”. He said that the operations indicated the openness of smaller governments which is missing from the world’s biggest economic powers.
Many non-governmental organisations, such as Melissa Network, Mina’s List and Human Rights 360 have also carried out evacuations in cooperation with the Greek government. One of the first operations in October 2021 saw the arrival of 26 female judges and lawyers and their families to Greece via Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.
Greece’s President Katerina Sakellaropoulou assisted in the safe transfer of the evacuees, who were welcomed at Athens airport where htey were registered and taken to apartments provided under the ESTIA program of Greece’s Ministry for Migration.
The Afghan women and their families are being hosted by Greece until the process for their transfer and settlement into other Western countries that have expressed willingness to accept them is completed,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, emphasizing that Greece is “committed to hosting a symbolic number of Afghan citizens who advocate the values of freedom of expression and equality.” While most of the Afghan women who made it to Greece want to ultimately settle down in the U.S., Greek minister for immigration Mitarachis said Greece is “willing to provide asylum to all of them, if their attempts to find alternative accommodation doesn’t materialise.”
READ MORE: Where do Afghanistan’s refugees go?
In October a small group of female Afghan dissidents met with both Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of the Hellenic Republic, Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
On 22 November, another group of Afghan refugees landed in Athens: a private charter flight transported the group of 119 Afghans from the capital of Kabul, among them an ex-Afghan minister, as well as a lawyer who prosecuted more than 2,000 Taliban inmates. Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai hailed this rescue flight as a success. The plane, carrying dozens of Afghan women, included activists who had worked alongside Yousafzai.
According to the Independent newspaper, Yousafzai stated that the flight that helped Afghans escape the Taliban brought hope and safety. “Today’s arrival provides hope and safety for so many incredible, vulnerable Afghans, including women’s rights advocates, journalists and Malala Fund partners,” Yousafzai stated. “I’m grateful to (Greece’s) Prime Minister Mitsotakis and the Government of Greece for their support.”
Faridoon Hazeen, a lawyer who investigated people who had links to the Taliban and al-Qaeda, was on the flight alongside his wife and four children. He said to the Independent, : “We had to leave. The Taliban had been looking for us. They went to my apartment and broke everything. They took my elder brother as hostage for eight days, then later they took my younger brother and father. My older brother was tortured and is still in critical condition. “In helping with this flight, the Greek government has proved that humanity matters, and it is playing its role for the people who need help and support. For that, I’m truly grateful.”
READ MORE: Greece: Camp conditions endanger women, girls
More than a third of female Afghan MPs are now in Greece. They’re working on a ‘parallel Parliament’ that will keep fighting for women in #Afghanistan. If all goes according to plan, it will be based out of Toronto, where most in this picture are headed. pic.twitter.com/FV6Pa86Q2Z
— Daniele Hamamdjian (@DHamamdjian) November 25, 2021
Afghan Women’s Parliament in Exile
Afghanistan’s twin-chamber parliament was effectively dissolved after the Taliban seized control of the country in August. The future of the national assembly and the question of whether women will be allowed to hold any positions of authority remain uncertain. As the Guardian reports, Afghan female MPs that live now in Athens, are continuing the fight: “The 28 female MPs who have found refuge in Greece, want to combat a regime that has stripped women of basic rights and plunged their country deeper into poverty and hunger. During meetings with Greece’s prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and president, Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the MPs have pushed the country’s authorities to advocate for Afghan women with other EU member states.
One of the parliamentarians, Shagufa Noorzai, came up with the idea for a parallel parliament in exile, along other MP Yousufi Bek. A teacher before becoming a legislator, while in office Noorzai focused on improving the financial status of women and set up a foundation aimed at supporting homeless children and widows in her native Helmand province.
“I want women in Afghanistan to think, ‘Shagufa didn’t forget us. Shagufa wants to do something for us’,” says Noorzai, who at 24 became the youngest member of parliament when she was elected in 2018. Many of the MPs have seen fierce opposition when seeking election; Yousafi Bek’s campaign was the target of a deadly suicide bomber.”
On 27 November, the Afghan women parliamentarians and Senators announced that they have launched the Afghan Women’s Parliament in Exile in Athens:
The Afghan Women’s Parliament in Exile, which includes 41 per cent of Afghan women MPs and Senators, will work “to mobilize support for their compatriots left behind under Taliban rule, to support the resettlement of Afghan refugees around the world, and to continue to advocate for the protection of women’s and girls’ rights,” according to a press release issued by Mina’s List, a US-based non-profit which funds the initiative.
Nazifa Yousufi Bek, who represented northern Takhar province in the Afghan parliament, is one of the founders of the Afghan Women’s Parliament in Exile.
“Our work is not done. We were elected by the Afghan people to represent them,” Bek is quoted as saying in the press release. “Our people, especially women and girls, and those living in poverty, are facing a severe humanitarian crisis and a crackdown on their rights by the Taliban. We will continue to serve them wherever we are,” she added.
Tanya Henderson, Founder and Executive Director of Mina’s List said:
“We are very grateful for the continued support of the government and the people of Greece who have welcomed the women MPs and their families with open arms. Today, these remarkable women have found the strength to continue their work as parliamentarians. Despite losing everything, Afghan women are still leading.”
#Greece condemns the appalling attack outside #Kabul airport, in which Afghan citizens, including women & children, & US service members lost their lives. We extend heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families & our wishes for speedy recovery to the injured
— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) August 26, 2021
