CANBERRA: Australia has announced the cessation of diplomatic ties with the Taliban-led regime of Afghanistan, confirming that the Afghan Embassy in Australia will shut down after June 2026.
In an official statement, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said that Australia will not accept any representatives appointed by the Taliban, including diplomats or honorary consuls.
The department said the Taliban regime’s non-democratic and violent policies have led to Afghanistan’s increasing international isolation.
Australian officials added that the government does not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate representatives of the Afghan people. Australia also condemned the Taliban’s human rights violations and restrictions on freedom of expression and dissent.
According to an Australian publication, the decision reflects Canberra’s continued refusal to grant diplomatic recognition to the Taliban-led government.
Meanwhile, the Refugee Council of Australia has stated that many Afghan citizens are fearful of obtaining official documents from Taliban-run institutions, highlighting ongoing insecurity and lack of trust within the country.
