The Resurgence Of The Taliban: Afghanistan's Growing Challenge

The Taliban, a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist and predominantly Pashtun movement, controlled most of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. In October 2001, US and allied forces invaded the country and quickly ousted the Taliban regime following its refusal to hand over terrorist leader Osama bin Laden in the wake of al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks. The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, twenty years after their ouster by US troops. They currently control all of the country.

The Taliban's harsh treatment of women and girls

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, they have systematically restricted the human rights of women and girls, suffocating all aspects of their lives. The Taliban's harsh treatment of women and girls may amount to "gender apartheid" and could even be considered a crime against humanity.

• Women have been barred from working in most sectors, except health and education.
• Women have been prohibited from travelling more than 45 miles without a close male relative.
• Women have been ordered to wear face coverings in public.
• Women have been banned from parks, gyms, and other public spaces.
• Women have been prevented from accessing education beyond primary school.
• Women have been banned from being treated by male doctors unless accompanied by a male chaperone.
• Women have faced public flogging and execution for violating the Taliban's laws.
• Women have been arbitrarily arrested and detained for infringing the Taliban's discriminatory mahram restrictions or for participating in peaceful demonstrations.
• Women have faced torture and other ill-treatment for resisting the Taliban's oppressive rules.

The Taliban's crackdown on human rights

Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the group has been accused of committing widespread human rights abuses and reversing two decades of progress in the country. Here is a detailed overview of the Taliban's crackdown on human rights:

Restrictions on Women's Rights and Education

The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on the rights of women and girls, limiting their freedom of movement, expression, employment, and access to education. Women have been banned from working in most sectors, including the public sector, and are prohibited from travelling without a male chaperone. The Taliban have also blocked girls' access to secondary education and banned women from attending universities, reversing decades of progress in promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in Afghanistan.

Suppression of Freedom of Expression and Media

The Taliban have suppressed freedom of expression and targeted human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society activists. They have cracked down on peaceful protests, using excessive force to disperse demonstrators and arbitrarily detaining and torturing those who criticise their regime. The Taliban have also restricted press freedom, leading to the closure of numerous news organisations and the intimidation and harassment of journalists.

Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances

The Taliban have been accused of carrying out extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and revenge killings of their opponents and critics. They have targeted ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Hazara community, with hundreds of extrajudicial killings reported. The Taliban's actions have contributed to a culture of impunity, with little accountability for crimes committed.

Persecution of Ethnic and Religious Minorities

The Taliban have persecuted and forcibly evicted ethnic and religious minorities, such as Hazaras, Uzbeks, and Turkmen, from their homes and farms. They have also imposed restrictions on religious events and celebrations, further marginalising these communities.

Violations of LGBTIQ+ Rights

Consensual same-sex relations remain illegal and punishable by death in Afghanistan under the Taliban rule. LGBTIQ+ individuals continue to face human rights violations, including discrimination, targeted violence, arbitrary detention, and forced marriages.

Crackdown on Human Rights Defenders

Human rights defenders, activists, and members of civil society have faced violence, intimidation, surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful detention by the Taliban. They have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment, including sexual abuse, according to reports.

Humanitarian Crisis and Economic Collapse

The Taliban's takeover has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with millions facing food insecurity and malnutrition. The economy has collapsed, with hundreds of thousands of job losses, and basic services such as healthcare and education have been severely impacted. The freezing of state assets and international sanctions have further compounded the crisis.

The Taliban's ties with al-Qaeda

The Taliban and Al-Qaeda have historically shared close ties. Al-Qaeda's leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Kabul in 2022. Reports suggested that Zawahiri was living in the home of a Taliban aide, and other Al-Qaeda leaders are believed to be based in the country.

The Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has raised fears that the country could once again become a safe haven for terrorists. The Taliban has been accused of harbouring and supporting terrorist organisations, particularly Al-Qaeda. The Taliban has denied these accusations and has pledged to prevent international jihadists, including Al-Qaeda, from using Afghan soil to threaten other countries.

However, the Taliban's commitment to preventing the use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities has been met with scepticism. The Taliban's ties with Al-Qaeda date back to the 1990s, when Al-Qaeda was based in Afghanistan and the Taliban provided shelter and support. Despite the Taliban's pledges to cut ties with terrorist groups, international observers remain concerned about the potential for Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorists once again.

The Taliban's relationship with Al-Qaeda has been characterised by a shared ideology and mutual support. The Taliban has provided Al-Qaeda with protection, financial resources, and access to its networks. In return, Al-Qaeda has offered ideological support and assistance in training and recruitment.

The Taliban's relationship with Al-Qaeda has been a complex and evolving dynamic. While the Taliban has made efforts to distance itself from Al-Qaeda, there are ongoing concerns about the potential for collaboration and coordination between the two groups. The Taliban's ability to effectively prevent Al-Qaeda from using Afghan soil for terrorist activities remains uncertain.

The Taliban's impact on Afghanistan's economy

The Taliban's takeover has wiped out gains in Afghans' standards of living that were made over the two decades after the U.S. invasion. In an October 2022 report, the UNDP said that almost all Afghans were living in poverty. The economy has shrunk by up to 30% since the takeover, and an estimated 700,000 jobs have been lost. More than 90% of the population has been suffering from some form of food insecurity.

The Taliban's strict interpretation of Sharia law has also negatively impacted Afghanistan's economy. During their rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban forbade the consumption of pork and alcohol, the use of technology such as television and the internet, and most forms of art such as paintings and photography. They also banned music with instrumental accompaniments, with the exception of the daf, a type of frame drum.

The Taliban's decision-making process has also contributed to the country's economic woes. The group did not hold elections and modelled its decision-making on the Pashtun tribal council (jirga). As the Taliban's power grew, Mullah Omar made decisions without consulting the jirga or visiting other parts of the country.

In addition, the Taliban's involvement in criminal activities and the illegal drug trade has had a detrimental effect on Afghanistan's economy. The group has earned revenue through opium poppy cultivation, drug trafficking, extortion of local businesses, and kidnapping.

The Taliban's return to power has also led to international isolation and the termination of significant development aid, further crippling the Afghan economy. Sanctions and the loss of aid have starved the country of much-needed assistance, with the World Bank providing more than $1.7 billion in support to the Afghan people since August 2021.

The Taliban's impact on Afghanistan's security

The Taliban's takeover has also led to a worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. The country is facing food shortages, with malnutrition soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs being lost. The Taliban's takeover has also led to a brain drain, with highly skilled professionals leaving the country.

The Taliban has also been accused of committing human rights abuses, with reports of extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention. The Taliban has also been accused of targeting critics and dissenters, with journalists being detained or pressured into not reporting on certain issues.

The Taliban has also been accused of providing safe havens to terrorist groups, with the group maintaining close ties with al-Qaeda. The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan has raised concerns that the country could once again become a safe haven for terrorists.

Frequently asked questions