The European Parliament on Thursday called on Afghan authorities to eradicate the practice of bacha bazi, which involves the sexual abuse of boys.
In a resolution, EU parliament deplored the “widespread and ongoing sexual abuse of thousands of boys and young men,” in Afghanistan.
It said that bacha bazi constitutes child slavery and is prevalent in several provinces of Afghanistan.
Thebachas, typically boys between 10 and 18 years old, are often bought or kidnapped from impoverished families by influential members of the elite in rural areas, including politicians and army officers, after which they are sexually abused by men, it said.
Members of European Parliament called on the Afghan local authorities to eradicate such practices and to set up a national victim support helpline dedicated to children’s rights abuses.
They also urged the Afghan government to start a nationwide campaign to educate the general public about the prohibition ofbacha bazi. According to the resolution, only a combination of law enforcement and education will make it possible to achieve the cultural change needed to eliminate such abuse.
