Afghanistan: women human rights activists voice intense frustration at life under Taliban
New consultation with 150 members of Afghan civil society shows women and others feeling ignored by the international community
Taliban continue to commit human rights violations against the Afghan people, especially women and girls, with absolute impunity
‘The world is still wringing its hands as the Taliban continue violating human rights’ - Samira Hamidi
Members of Afghan civil society have voiced their intense frustration with the international community in a consultation organised by Amnesty International to mark three years since the Taliban de facto authorities took control of Afghanistan.
In a wide-ranging consultation with more than 150 stakeholders, Amnesty spoke to Afghan human rights defenders, academics, women protesters and activists, young people, civil society representatives and journalists in 21 provinces across Afghanistan and with people in exile in ten countries across the world - the USA, the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Canada and Pakistan.
More than 20 Afghan women human rights defenders in Afghanistan told Amnesty that they have lost agency in every aspect of their lives. These women used to be employed in diverse fields including law, politics, journalism, education and sport. After three years under Taliban rule they all said they felt they were regarded as “no-one” with limited opportunities for employment or for making an economic or cultural contribution.
Razia, a women’s rights defender from Kunduz province in Afghanistan, said:
“The women who have lost their agency, jobs and economic status are told that they deserve it, and that the Taliban return is a positive step to shut [down] those who were preaching adultery in the name of human rights and women’s rights.”
Nazifa, a teacher in Mazar-e- sharif province in Afghanistan, said:
“We were told the Taliban have changed. We were told not [to] spoil the peace efforts. We were told the world will stand for us. [Yet] today we are living our miseries alone.”
Tabasoom Noori, a women’s rights activist living in exile in the United States, said:
“Those of us in Afghanistan are not invited in important discussions as it’s deemed ‘too risky’. Those of us in exile are excluded as we don’t live in Afghanistan and therefore deemed not ‘legitimate’.”
Zarifa, a women human rights defender living in exile in the United States, said:
“The same group who were blowing themselves up and killing civilians and security forces don’t do it anymore (as they are in power), so of course [Afghanistan] will be safe.”
Ahmad Ahmadi, a former lawyer now living in exile in Europe, said:
“The Taliban announced that there is no need for the participation of lawyers during trials. They do not believe in justice systems but rely heavily on their interpretation of Shariah law led by religious scholars from madrasas (Islamic schools) with no formal legal education.”
Samira Hamidi, Amnesty International’s South Asia Regional Campaigner, said:
“Three years on, the absolute absence of any concrete measures in addressing the human rights catastrophe in Afghanistan is a source of shame for the world.
“Innumerable statements and meetings later, the world is still wringing its hands as the Taliban continue violating human rights and undoing twenty years of hard work in every sphere of public and private life.”
Allegations of gender persecution dismissed by Taliban
The Taliban continue to commit human rights violations and crimes under international law against the Afghan people, especially women and girls, with absolute impunity. However, allegations of gender persecution have been dismissed by the Taliban with the group claiming they’re complying with Shariah (Islamic law) and “Afghan culture”. All restrictive and repressive decrees and policies that were ostensibly introduced as temporary measures to ensure the safety of the people - especially women and girls - at the beginning of the Taliban’s rule are still in place after three years.
The legal and formal justice system in Afghanistan collapsed after the Taliban’s return to power and, in November 2022, the Taliban supreme leader issued an obligatory order for the full implementation of Shariah law in Afghanistan. Corporal punishment has been reintroduced, including public flogging, public execution, the chopping off of limbs, stoning and other forms of ill-treatment and torture that violate international law. The absence of fair trials, or access to legal remedy remains widely under-reported.
Afghanistan now has a dwindling civil society where human rights defenders, including women protesters, grassroots organisations, journalists and political activists are perceived as enemies by the Taliban. Those who protest are subjected to enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, imprisonment, torture and other ill-treatment. Many have been forced to flee the country fearing reprisals, leaving behind families and jobs. Hundreds remain stuck in Iran, Pakistan and Turkey, where they’re facing legal and financial challenges and some have been exposed to forced deportation.
Urgent need for action
Amnesty is calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make Afghanistan a foreign policy priority, and demand the UK works with the international community to ensure that women's rights are protected in Afghanistan. To find out more see Action.