Afghanistan's Development In The Shadow Of Terrorist Groups: Understanding The Impact

Terrorist groups have had a significant influence on the development of Afghanistan, with the Taliban being the most prominent example. The Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, ruled most of Afghanistan from 1996 until October 2001, when they were overthrown by a US-led campaign following the 9/11 attacks. During their rule, the Taliban imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, which led to widespread human rights abuses, particularly against women and religious and ethnic minorities. They also provided safe havens for terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda, allowing them to recruit, train, and launch attacks from Afghan soil. After their overthrow, the Taliban regrouped and waged a long insurgency against the US-backed government and NATO forces. In 2021, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, leading to a rollback of human rights gains and a deterioration of the country's economic situation.

The Taliban's relationship with al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups

The Taliban is a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group that returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after waging a twenty-year insurgency against the U.S.-backed government in Kabul since 2001. The Taliban imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law despite pledges to respect the rights of women and religious and ethnic minority communities. Meanwhile, as they have transitioned from an insurgent group to a functional government, the Taliban have struggled to provide Afghans with adequate food supplies and economic opportunities.

The Taliban maintain close ties with al-Qaeda. Analysts are concerned that the Taliban could provide it with safe haven and allow it to launch international terrorist attacks from Afghan soil.

The Taliban's treatment of women and girls

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have imposed a series of restrictions that have severely impacted the lives of women and girls in the country. The Taliban have systematically excluded women and girls from public life, violating their human rights and freedoms. Here is an overview of the Taliban's treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan:

Education

The Taliban have banned girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade and prohibited women from pursuing university education. They have also banned co-education and prohibited men from teaching girls. The Taliban have altered curricula to focus more on religious studies, removing subjects deemed "unnecessary," such as physical education and art. These restrictions have disrupted the education of millions of girls and young women, with many expressing worry about their future prospects.

Employment

The Taliban have barred women from working in most sectors outside the home. They are prohibited from holding government positions, working for international organizations or NGOs, or running certain businesses. Only women working in primary education or healthcare are generally allowed to continue their jobs, but even they face challenges due to the financial crisis in the country. The Taliban's restrictions have resulted in a loss of income for many families, as women were often the sole or primary breadwinners.

Mobility and Public Spaces

The Taliban have imposed strict limitations on the mobility of women and girls, requiring them to be accompanied by a male chaperone (mahram) when leaving their homes. They have banned women from travelling long distances without a male relative and have restricted their access to public spaces such as parks, public baths, and historic sites. Women are also prohibited from participating in sports or visiting gyms. These restrictions have confined women to their homes, impacting their mental health and well-being.

Dress Code and Behaviour

The Taliban enforce a strict dress code for women and girls, mandating the wearing of a burqa or Arab-style hijab in public. They dictate how women should travel, interact with men, and conduct themselves in public. Women are instructed to cover their faces in some cases and are prohibited from wearing makeup or certain types of footwear. The Taliban's moral police department monitors and enforces these rules, with violations resulting in harsh punishments.

Access to Healthcare

The Taliban's restrictions on women's mobility and interaction with men have created barriers to accessing healthcare. Women are prohibited from being examined by male physicians, and the number of female doctors and nurses is limited due to work restrictions. This has led to preventable deaths and a lack of access to routine and emergency medical care. The Taliban have also disbanded divorce cases, forcing abused women to return to their husbands.

Violence and Persecution

The Taliban's policies and restrictions have resulted in increased spousal and intrafamily violence against women and girls. Women who defy the Taliban's rules are subjected to brutal beatings, public flogging, and even death. The Taliban have also targeted women's rights activists and protesters, with reports of arrests and beatings. The absence of a clear legal system and the lack of access to women legal professionals make it difficult for women to seek justice and protection.

The Taliban's impact on Afghanistan's economy

The Taliban's harsh rule has led to a sharp contraction and reconfiguration of the Afghan economy. The country has lost access to the international banking system and offshore foreign exchange reserves as central bank assets were frozen. This has resulted in disruptions to public services, widespread investment losses, and a brain drain, with tens of thousands of highly skilled Afghans fleeing the country.

The Afghan economy contracted by 20.7% in 2021 and a further 6.2% in 2022. The proportion of households unable to meet basic food needs more than doubled from 16% to 36% during this period. The Taliban's restrictions on women have also impacted the economy, with the UN Development Program (UNDP) estimating that banning women from working could cost up to 5% of Afghanistan's GDP.

The Taliban's policies have also disrupted the agricultural sector, which is vital to the country's economy. The group has cracked down on opium production, cutting it by 80%, which has deprived many communities of a crucial source of income. Additionally, water shortages have led to conflict with neighbouring countries, further impacting economic stability.

The Taliban has struggled to provide Afghans with adequate food supplies and economic opportunities. The UN has documented numerous human rights violations, including intimidating journalists, restricting press freedoms, and violently cracking down on demonstrations. The group's harsh interpretation of Islamic law and regressive policies have also deterred foreign investment and aid, further exacerbating the economic crisis.

Overall, the Taliban's rule has resulted in economic stagnation, declining external financing, and a dysfunctional banking sector. The country faces a bleak future, with poverty and unemployment expected to increase, and food insecurity becoming an increasingly pressing issue.

The Taliban's human rights abuses

Restrictions on Women's Rights

The Taliban have imposed a long list of rules and policies that prevent women and girls from exercising their fundamental rights, including freedom of movement, the right to work and livelihood, and access to education and healthcare. They have banned women from working in most government jobs and other areas, and have restricted their access to education beyond primary school. Women have been banned from appearing in public alone or travelling without a male chaperone. The Taliban have also forcibly closed beauty salons, impacting around 60,000 women-owned businesses. They have further banned women from participating in sports activities and visiting public parks.

Violence and Intimidation of Journalists

The Taliban have carried out extensive censorship and violence against Afghan media in Kabul and other provinces. Hundreds of media outlets have been shut down, and an estimated 80% of women journalists across Afghanistan have lost their jobs or left the profession since the Taliban takeover. Journalists have been arbitrarily arrested, harassed, and beaten for reporting critically on the Taliban or violating their rules.

Extrajudicial Killings, Torture, and Enforced Disappearances

The Taliban have carried out revenge killings, torture, and enforced disappearances of former government officials, security force personnel, and civilians accused of supporting opposition groups. They have also summarily executed people they claim are members of rival organisations. The Taliban are responsible for nearly 40% of civilian deaths and injuries in the first six months of 2021, with women and children comprising nearly half of all civilian casualties.

Discrimination Against Religious and Ethnic Minorities

The Taliban have marginalised and discriminated against religious and ethnic minorities, including Shia, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and Hazaras. They have imposed restrictions on religious events and celebrations, and excluded Shia jurisprudence from the education system. The Taliban have also settled disputes over land and livestock in favour of Pashtun communities and forced local Hazara communities to pay compensation.

LGBTQ+ Rights

The Taliban continue to criminalise consensual same-sex relations, and LGBTQ+ people continue to face human rights violations, including discrimination, targeted violence, threats, and arbitrary detention. Many LGBTQ+ individuals have gone into hiding to avoid being captured by the Taliban.

Freedom of Assembly

The Taliban have restricted the freedom of peaceful assembly and used unlawful and excessive force to attack peaceful protests, particularly those led by women. Arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances of protesters have been common.

Freedom of Expression

The Taliban have eroded freedom of expression, and those who express views critical of the Taliban have faced enforced disappearance, unlawful detention, arbitrary arrest, torture, and other ill-treatment.

The Taliban's relationship with Pakistan

Historical Context

The Taliban, a predominantly Pashtun Islamic fundamentalist group, has historically enjoyed a close relationship with Pakistan. The group was formed in the early 1990s by Afghan mujahideen, who had resisted the Soviet occupation with the backing of the CIA and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI). The Taliban's rise was facilitated by support from Pakistan, which saw the group as a valuable strategic asset in its anti-India policies and a way to gain "strategic depth" against its eastern neighbour. Pakistan provided military support, solicited funding, provided diplomatic backing, arranged training, and facilitated shipments of ammunition.

Mutual Benefits

The Taliban, in turn, benefited from Pakistan's support, using it to secure their leadership, establish command centres, and recruit members. This mutual dependence coloured their relationship, with Pakistani youth being admitted into the Taliban's ranks. However, this reliance also opened up the Taliban to Pakistani influence and penetration.

Shifting Dynamics

With the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the dynamics between the two have shifted. The Taliban no longer rely solely on Pakistan and are exploring relationships with other countries, such as India, for much-needed financing for reconstruction. This has led to tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, with Pakistan's leverage over the Taliban seemingly slipping. The Taliban's military victory has also inspired those seeking to impose Sharia law in Pakistan, causing concern within the Pakistani state about blowback and increased Islamist radicalisation at home.

Clashes and Border Disputes

Clashes along the disputed Afghanistan-Pakistan border have become more frequent, and the Taliban's refusal to accept the Durand Line as the international border remains a key driver of tensions. The Taliban have also provided haven to the anti-Pakistan insurgent group, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), leading to a spike in terror attacks. Pakistan has responded with airstrikes, killing civilians and straining relations further.

Future Prospects

Despite the tensions, both sides are aware of the consequences of a further deterioration in relations. Pakistan has not granted diplomatic recognition to the Taliban but is in favour of giving them more political space. The Taliban, on their part, have expressed sorrow over cross-border incidents and reassured Pakistan that Afghan soil will not be used for militant attacks. However, with the Taliban's relationship with Pakistan becoming more challenging, the group is sending signals that they may be less amenable to receiving instructions from Islamabad.

Frequently asked questions