“Human Rights Watch Raises Alarm Over Deteriorating Situation in Afghanistan Under Two-Year Taliban Rule”

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has released a report this week on Afghanistan’s escalating human rights crisis under the two-year rule of the Taliban. HRW highlights severe restrictions on women’s rights, curtailing access to education, work, and movement. With over 28 million people urgently needing assistance, including 3.2 million malnourished children, the crisis exacerbates food insecurity, disproportionately affecting women due to limited economic participation.

The report emphasizes the imperative for international intervention to address escalating abuses, provide crucial aid, and protect Afghan civilians, particularly women and vulnerable communities. Media censorship by the Taliban further hinders information flow.

Taliban security forces’ arbitrary detentions, torture, and summary executions compound the crisis. Groups like Islamic State of Khorasan Province amplify insecurity, particularly for minority communities.

Amid these challenges, Afghan refugees in third countries face dire conditions, necessitating swift resettlement. HRW urges governments engaging with Afghanistan to create safe pathways.

Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at HRW, calls for international pressure on the Taliban to reverse repressive policies. The report urgently calls for global action to address the crisis and safeguard Afghan citizens under Taliban rule.