UN: Human rights crisis worsens in Afghanistan under Taliban rule
A United Nations report presented to the Human Rights Council warns of a deepening human rights crisis in Afghanistan, with severe repression targeting women, minorities, and civil society under Taliban rule. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, highlighted Taliban’s systematic oppression of women, describing it as “unparalleled” globally.
The report states that Taliban policies, including education bans and restrictions on women’s movement, could constitute crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already requested arrest warrants for Taliban leaders on these grounds.
The Taliban’s crackdown on free speech has also intensified, with increased surveillance, media shutdowns, and attacks on journalists. Additionally, corporal punishment has escalated, with 311 public floggings recorded in the latter half of 2024, alongside public executions.
Religious and ethnic minorities, particularly Hazaras, Shia Muslims, and Sufis, continue to face violence, including targeted killings and forced displacement. Taliban have been accused of failing to protect these communities while armed groups like ISIS-K escalate attacks.
Afghanistan is also grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, with 15 million people facing acute food insecurity and widespread medical facility closures. The report warns that humanitarian aid remains severely underfunded, further endangering vulnerable populations.
The UN urges the international community to recognize gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, increase refugee protections, and provide more humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, the ICC is pursuing legal action against Taliban leaders for human rights violations.
The UN’s report cautions against normalizing engagement with the Taliban without measurable human rights improvements, emphasizing that continued inaction will exacerbate Afghanistan’s crisis and prolong suffering for millions.
