New Delhi, Oct. 21 -- Nineteen European Union member states, along with non-EU country Norway, are urging the European Commission to begin returning Afghans who are residing illegally in Europe, either voluntarily or through deportation.

They are also calling for negotiations with the Taliban, the de facto rulers of Afghanistan, regarding the future of these people who have become unwanted in Europe.

This unexpected move stands in stark contrast to the EU's own principles and established practice of not deporting asylum seekers to countries with gross human rights abuses.

The European Parliament passed a resolution last week condemning the Taliban's "numerous gender-based restrictions and discriminatory policies that prevent Afghan wom...