Thema 1: Frauen in Afghanistan – Gefangene in ihrem eigenen Land

We began with what matters most: the lives of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Today, 2.2 million Afghan girls are denied the right to education. Afghanistan remains the only country in the world that forbids girls from studying beyond primary school.

Women have lost their jobs, beauty salons have been closed, and even parks and gyms are forbidden to them.
They can no longer walk freely, travel without a male companion, or even hope for protection against violence.

Public lashings, forced marriages, and a life of silence — this is the daily reality under Taliban rule.
Afghanistan has become an open-air prison for millions.

Thema 2: Internationale Politik und die Taliban – Zwischen Worten und Wirklichkeit

Officially, the Taliban are not recognized by any government.
But in reality, they are treated like a state — with banking channels, trade relations, and even official visits abroad.

Powers like the USA, Russia, China, and Germany have, in different ways, given the Taliban the economic and political oxygen they need to survive.
The bitter irony: even Afghans who fled the Taliban are forced in Europe to apply for documents from Taliban offices.
This stands in direct contradiction to the UN Charter, to human rights, and to the German constitution itself.

Thema 3: Deutschland und der doppelte Standard

We also spoke about the painful double standard in how Afghan refugees are often portrayed.
In political debates and media coverage, Afghans are frequently linked to crime — yet the official statistics of the German Police (PKS) tell a very different story.
The data does not support the claims that Afghan refugees are disproportionately involved in criminal activity.

And yet, this distorted narrative spreads — creating fear, mistrust, and collective stigmatization.
Such narratives not only harm innocent people but also weaken the moral strength and credibility of democracy itself.

Unsere Botschaft

“When democracies cooperate with terrorist regimes, they lose their credibility.
Millions of women and children lose their future — and we all lose the values that make democracy strong.”

This message touched many hearts that evening.
Visitors stayed, asked questions, and shared their feelings — some were shocked by the facts, others saddened, and many simply thankful to finally hear the truth directly from Afghan voices.

In every conversation, one truth became clear:
Democracy is not only a system of laws — it’s a shared responsibility of compassion, justice, and courage.

Gratitude and Hope

We left the Kulturhaus that night with deep gratitude — for the people who stopped by, listened, and stood in solidarity with Afghan women.
And we thank the City of Kehl for giving us this platform to speak for those who have been silenced.

Our heartfelt thanks go to:
Organizers: Mohammad Akbar Mahmoody, Sunam Kohistani, Zainab Kohistani, and Raihana Ghafuri.
Special thanks: Sadat and Shabnam Ehsamie, Laila Sadaat, and Amena Sultan.
And our warmest gratitude to Raya Gustafson and Robyn Tropf from the Integrationsbeauftragten der Stadt Kehl for their support, kindness, and coordination.

That night, between tea, words, and hope, we were reminded that democracy begins with empathy —
and that silence, in the face of injustice, is never neutral.

📅 Date: October 10, 2025

✍ Author: Mohammad Akbar Mahmoody