In a troubling report presented to the Human Rights Council, the United Nations warns of a severe decline in human rights conditions in Afghanistan. Under Taliban rule, women, minorities, and civil society members face alarming repression. Richard Bennett, the U.N. Special Rapporteur, highlights the systematic oppression of women, proclaiming it unmatched globally, as the Taliban enforce a deeply misogynistic regime that systematically suppresses the rights of women and girls.
The report detailed restrictions on women, positing that these policies could amount to crimes against humanity, particularly gender persecution. It outlined new prohibitions, such as bans on women singing or speaking outside their homes and the mandatory requirement of a male guardian for all travel. The Taliban’s December 2024 ban on women attending private medical education drastically impacted 35,000 female students, adding to the bleak landscape of stunted rights to education and healthcare.
Mental health issues among Afghan women are escalating, with many reporting increased levels of stress and anxiety. One woman expressed her desire for freedom, stating, “I want to go to school, to laugh with my friends and to be someone who can make a difference. But the restrictions make me feel trapped.” This sentiment underscores the psychological toll of enforced seclusion and oppression.
The report also addresses a disturbing crackdown on free speech, where the Taliban is intensifying its persecution of journalists and activists. Afghans opposing the regime are forced to censor themselves and live in constant fear. With more than 300 media outlets shuttered or forced to comply with oppressive Taliban regulations, the freedom of expression in Afghanistan has been stifled.
The Taliban’s brutal corporal punishment practices have surged, with over 311 public floggings recorded between July and December 2024 alone. These acts, including public executions, blatantly violate fundamental human rights. The International Criminal Court has intervened, seeking arrest warrants against Taliban leaders for their roles in these egregious violations of international law.
Religious and ethnic minorities, particularly the Hazaras and Shia Muslims, face vicious persecution. The report documented several attacks, including targeted killings by groups like ISIS-K, highlighting the Taliban’s failure to protect vulnerable communities. Furthermore, forced evictions are prevalent, with minority groups frequently displaced through violence or intimidation.
Amidst these human rights violations, Afghanistan grapples with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Nearly 15 million people suffer from acute food insecurity, and funding for humanitarian aid remains critically low. The collapse of the healthcare system, marked by the closure of numerous medical facilities, disproportionately affects women and girls who are already facing barriers to survival and dignity.
Bennett calls on the international community to act decisively, recognising gender apartheid as a crime against humanity and increasing humanitarian support for Afghan refugees. Furthermore, he notes that while the ICC seeks accountability for Taliban leaders, some nations risk normalising relations with the oppressive regime, potentially legitimising its abusive practices.
The report concludes with a dire warning: ignoring Afghanistan’s human rights crisis will have long-lasting effects on its citizens, particularly women and girls. It urges global actors to adopt a rights-focused approach in dealings with the Taliban and to ensure that any future engagement is contingent upon tangible improvements in human rights.
A U.N. report reveals the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, highlighting severe oppression faced by women and minorities. Restrictions enforce systematic gender discrimination, raising concerns of crimes against humanity. The report outlines a sharp increase in corporal punishment, suppression of free speech, and humanitarian crises affecting millions, urging global action and accountability for the Taliban.
The U.N. report paints a grim picture of the escalating human rights crisis in Afghanistan, particularly affecting women and minority groups under the Taliban regime. With stringent restrictions on freedoms and increasing violence, the international community is urged to take action to safeguard human rights and provide humanitarian support. The continued neglect of these issues poses severe risks to millions of Afghans, particularly women and children.
Original Source: amu.tv
