7.1. Relevant circumstances

COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: January 2023

In the context of Afghanistan, numerous circumstances and different profiles may require consideration of the potential applicability of exclusion grounds. The QD does not set a time limit for the application of the grounds for exclusion. Applicants may be excluded in relation to events which occurred in the current as well as in past conflicts.

COI indicates that excludable acts are committed by many actors both in relation to the armed conflicts, as well as in the context of general criminality and human rights abuses.

Some (non-exhaustive) examples of past events which may be related to excludable acts include:

• Taliban-led insurgency against the former Afghan government (2001);
• Taliban regime and conflict between the Taliban and the Northern Alliance (1996 – 2001);
• Afghan ‘Civil War’ (1992 - 1996);
• Soviet Union invasion (1979) and the armed conflict between the Afghan government (supported by Soviet troops) and the ‘mujahideen’ (e.g. secret services of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) regime, commanders or fighters from the anti-Soviet jihad tanzeem) (1979 - 1992);
• The ‘Saur’ Revolution of 1978, subsequent purges and the 1979 crackdown of the uprising;
• etc.

Afghan nationals have also been involved in conflicts outside Afghanistan, such as via the Fatemiyoun Brigade in Syria, which may be of relevance in the examination of exclusion grounds [See COI Report: Syria - Actors (December 2019), 2.3.4, p. 35].

In relation to potential exclusion considerations, see also the chapters 2. Actors of persecution or serious harm and 3. Refugee status.