UN criticizes Taliban’s Virtue Ministry Over rights violations in Afghanistan

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released a new report sharply criticizing the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice for enforcing policies that infringe on the rights and freedoms of Afghan citizens. Published on April 10, the report is based on six months of monitoring and highlights how the ministry’s law, enacted in August 2024, views citizens as subjects under control rather than individuals with rights.

UNAMA points to widespread restrictions on civil liberties, particularly affecting women and girls, and contributing to Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian and economic crisis. The ministry, with around 3,300 officers across 28 provinces, has been accused of arbitrary arrests, property confiscation, and unregulated punishments. Between August 2021 and March 2024, UNAMA documented over 1,000 cases of arbitrary punishment, including public floggings and detentions.

The report also warns that restrictions on women’s education and employment could cost the Afghan economy $1.4 billion annually, citing World Bank data. UNAMA is urging the international community to press for accountability and the restoration of women’s rights. The Taliban has not officially responded, though it has previously rejected similar criticisms as biased and contrary to Islamic values.