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KABUL – A recent report from Human Rights Watch says the Taliban government has intensified suppression of human rights, particularly women’s rights, in Afghanistan. According to the organization’s Executive Director, Tirana Hassan, 2023 witnessed widespread human rights abuses and war crimes globally, with Afghanistan standing out as a hotspot.
The report emphasizes that Afghanistan is the only country where women are officially prohibited from education, with the Taliban enforcing increasingly repressive policies. These include the stifling of women’s protests, arbitrary detention of women activists, disappearances post-detention, and torture of both detainees and their family members.
Human Rights Watch also connects Afghanistan’s economic crisis to the ban on women’s work, leaving many women deprived of their livelihoods. The report highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, stating that nearly two-thirds of the population requires aid due to economic hardships.
Beyond women’s rights, the report delves into other pressing issues, including revenge killings, disappearances of former government officials and security forces, and the continuous suppression of civil society. The Taliban’s control, foreign sanctions, and prolonged drought are cited as key factors exacerbating poverty in Afghanistan.
ISIS remains a significant threat, targeting civilians, particularly the Hazara people and Shia minority. Human Rights Watch urges the international community to exert pressure on the Taliban to halt abuses against women and girls. Despite more than two years since the ban on girls attending schools after sixth grade, there has been no effort to restore girls’ education.
The report also highlights the Taliban’s restrictions on women, denying them access to education, employment, and public spaces. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, recently urged the Taliban to lift the ban on women working in non-governmental organizations, stressing the vital role of women in the country’s economy and societal progress. The international community is urged to address these pressing issues and work towards ensuring human rights and gender equality in Afghanistan.
