Officials from Afghanistan's Taliban rulers held talks in Brussels for the first time on the repatriation of Afghans despite sharp criticism from rights groups that the European Union was legitimizing the hard-liners amid continued signs they are cracking down further on women.

The meeting is expected to focus on ways to deport some Afghan migrants, despite warnings from rights groups that such engagement could put them at risk.

The EU is preparing to host Taliban representatives for the first time since the group's return to power in Afghanistan. #EuropeNews

Brussels to host Taliban for talks on return of Afghans posing security threat in Europe