As Afghanistan approaches the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has warned that the country is facing one of the world’s most severe humanitarian and human rights crises, with the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls and its repression of critics further worsening the situation.
In a report released on Monday, 4 August, ahead of the fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover, HRW said the group has systematically violated the fundamental rights of Afghans, particularly women and girls, since regaining power in August 2021.
The organization said women and girls remain barred from secondary and higher education and continue to face sweeping restrictions on employment, freedom of movement, freedom of expression, and participation in public life.
According to the report, journalists, civil society activists, and individuals perceived by the Taliban as critics continue to face threats, arbitrary detention, and torture. HRW also said that hundreds of former Afghan security force members have been subjected to retaliatory attacks and extrajudicial killings in recent years.
The organization described Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation as “critical,” noting that following significant cuts in international aid, half of the country’s population now requires food assistance and healthcare support.
The report said that more than 3.7 million children in Afghanistan are suffering from acute malnutrition, while the country’s healthcare system is struggling with severe shortages of resources.
HRW also noted that the large-scale deportation of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran has deepened the humanitarian crisis, as many returnees lack shelter, employment, and sources of income.
The report further said that armed clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan, as well as attacks carried out by ISIS-K in recent years, have resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties.
HRW described the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Taliban leaders and the establishment of an independent UN accountability mechanism for Afghanistan in 2025 as important steps toward ending impunity for serious human rights violations.
The organization stressed that condemning Taliban policies alone is not enough. It urged governments to increase pressure on the Taliban to lift all restrictions imposed on women and girls, support international accountability efforts, provide adequate funding for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, and end the forced deportation of Afghan refugees and migrants.
