The Resurgence Of The Taliban In Afghanistan: A Complex Reality

The Taliban, a Sunni Islamist nationalist and pro-Pashtun movement, returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after being overthrown by US troops in 2001. The group has imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law, eroding human rights and freedom of expression in the country. Women's rights have been severely restricted, with most banned from working, attending secondary school, or teaching at universities. The Taliban has also violently cracked down on demonstrations and restricted press freedom, leading to the closure of hundreds of news organisations. The economy has floundered under the Taliban, with malnutrition soaring and hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. The Taliban's close ties with al-Qaeda and other terrorist organisations have raised concerns among international observers.

The Taliban's treatment of women and girls

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, they have imposed strict rules that limit the rights and freedoms of women and girls. The Taliban have banned girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade and barred women from working in most sectors. They have also restricted women's movement outside the home and imposed strict dress codes, requiring them to wear a burqa or Arab-style hijab in public.

The Taliban have also banned women from travelling without a male chaperone, known as a "mahram", and unchaperoned women are often denied access to essential services. In addition, the Taliban have prohibited women from participating in sports or going to gyms, parks, and other public places. They have also banned women from working in government offices, holding decision-making or managerial positions, and running certain businesses. The Ministry of Women's Affairs has been abolished, effectively eliminating women's right to political participation.

The Taliban's restrictions have had a devastating impact on the lives of Afghan women and girls, creating barriers to their health, education, and economic opportunities. Women have reported feelings of insecurity, isolation, and acute mental health issues, including fear, anxiety, hopelessness, insomnia, and a deep sense of loss and helplessness. The loss of income and rising prices have also affected their ability to provide for their families and meet their basic needs.

The Taliban's relationship with al-Qaeda

The Taliban and al-Qaeda have a long history of cooperation, with al-Qaeda providing the Taliban with financial and military support during the Afghan Civil War in the 1990s. In return, the Taliban gave al-Qaeda a safe haven in Afghanistan, which allowed al-Qaeda to train and operate without interference.

The Taliban and al-Qaeda's relationship was damaged by the September 11 attacks, which were planned by al-Qaeda and carried out by al-Qaeda militants. The US invasion of Afghanistan in response to the attacks removed the Taliban from power, forcing them to regroup in Pakistan.

Despite this setback, the Taliban and al-Qaeda maintained their relationship, with al-Qaeda continuing to provide the Taliban with military and financial support. The Taliban, in turn, continued to provide al-Qaeda with a safe haven in Afghanistan.

In 2020, the Taliban signed the Doha Agreement with the US, in which they committed to preventing al-Qaeda from operating in areas under their control. However, there is evidence that the Taliban has not upheld this agreement, and al-Qaeda continues to operate in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's economic policies

Taxation and Revenue Generation

The Taliban has a long history of taxation during its insurgency period, and it has continued to rely heavily on taxation to increase revenue for its regime. This includes imposing taxes on income, various licenses for vehicles, shops, and businesses, and municipality taxes. Between March 2022 and March 2023, the Taliban regime generated approximately $2.2 billion in revenue, according to the World Bank. This impressive revenue collection is despite the shrinking national economy and the absence of foreign development aid. The Taliban's effective tax collection at border crossings has been a significant contributor to their financial resources.

Corruption and Transparency

The Taliban has made some efforts to tackle corruption, particularly in state institutions, where bribery was previously rampant. However, there are also reports of petty corruption within Taliban-controlled government agencies and extortion of non-governmental organizations. The group lacks transparency in budget expenditures, which may hide irregularities or the allocation of funds to priority areas such as the security sector.

Restrictions on Women's Rights

The Taliban's restrictions on women's education and participation in the workforce have had severe economic consequences. These policies have limited the economic contributions of over half of the population and hindered economic recovery. The restrictions have also made it difficult for humanitarian aid to reach those in need, as Western powers condition their assistance on the Taliban's respect for women's rights.

Opium Ban

The Taliban's ban on opium cultivation, if fully implemented, could further shock the economy and take away the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of rural people. This would be an additional economic blow that the country is ill-equipped to handle.

Banking and Financial Sector

Self-Sufficiency Ambitions

The Taliban-run government is pushing for self-sufficiency, focusing on domestic revenue and customs to finance its projects. This includes overseeing the construction of dams, canals, and tunnels to boost agriculture and connect remote provinces. However, economic conditions for Afghans continue to deteriorate, with a surge in humanitarian needs and a lack of access to basic necessities.

Natural Resource Extraction

Taliban officials have prioritized the expansion of oil extraction and the exploitation of Afghanistan's vast mineral wealth, including lithium ore. They have signed mining contracts worth billions of dollars in investment. However, it will take years for large-scale mining to begin, and the Taliban will need to address infrastructure challenges to export these resources effectively.

Impact on Overall Economy

In summary, the Taliban's economic policies have been characterized by heavy taxation, efforts to eradicate corruption, restrictions on women's rights, bans on certain economic activities, a push for self-sufficiency, and a focus on natural resource extraction. However, these policies have contributed to a deteriorating economy, worsening humanitarian crisis, and a lack of access to basic necessities for a significant portion of the Afghan population.

The Taliban's human rights violations

Since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the group has been accused of committing human rights violations and imposing a harsh interpretation of Islamic law. Here are some examples of the Taliban's human rights violations:

Restrictions on Women's Rights and Education

The Taliban has placed strict restrictions on the rights of women and girls, with the apparent aim of erasing them from public life. They have banned most women from working, prohibited girls from attending secondary school and banned all women from attending and teaching at universities. Women have also been prevented from participating in sports and recreational activities, and their freedom of movement has been restricted, with a ban on appearing in public or travelling long distances without a male chaperone. These measures have had a devastating impact on women's lives and livelihoods, and there have been reports of women suffering from depression and even suicide as a result.

Violence and Repression

The Taliban has been accused of using violence and repression to silence dissent and criticism. Peaceful protests, particularly those led by women, have been attacked using firearms, water cannons and stun guns. Journalists and activists who express views critical of the Taliban have faced arbitrary arrest, detention, torture and other forms of ill-treatment. There have also been reports of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances carried out by the Taliban.

Freedom of Religion and Expression

Religious minorities, including Shia, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians and Ahmadiyya, have faced marginalization, prejudice and discrimination under Taliban rule. The Taliban has imposed restrictions on religious events and celebrations, and excluded Shia jurisprudence from the education system. The group has also restricted freedom of expression and media, with more than half of registered media outlets closing down since their takeover. Journalists have been arbitrarily arrested, harassed and even killed for reporting critically on the Taliban or violating their rules.

LGBTQ+ Rights

Consensual same-sex relations remain illegal and punishable by death in Afghanistan. The Taliban has committed various human rights violations against LGBTQ+ individuals, including discrimination, targeted violence, threats and arbitrary detention. Many LGBTQ+ people have been forced to live in hiding, and there have also been reports of forced marriages.

Economic and Social Rights

The Taliban takeover has had a devastating impact on the economy and social conditions in Afghanistan. The country is facing a humanitarian crisis, with millions at risk of malnutrition and disease due to lack of access to food and healthcare. The situation has been exacerbated by the withdrawal of international aid and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and droughts.

The Taliban's suppression of free speech and political activity

Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the group has severely restricted freedom of speech and political activity in the country. The Taliban's suppression of free speech has been implemented through broad and vague media regulations that prohibit any critical reporting and have resulted in self-censorship among journalists. The Taliban have also arbitrarily detained, beaten, and intimidated journalists, with Human Rights Watch documenting at least 32 such cases since mid-August 2021. These actions have led to the closure of numerous media outlets and caused many journalists to flee the country or go into hiding.

In addition to suppressing free speech, the Taliban have also worked to prevent any organised political activity. They have closed the country's political space, refusing to tolerate any opposition and preventing political parties from competing for power. The Taliban have violently suppressed demonstrations, using whips, batons, and live ammunition to disperse protesters. They have also targeted and forcibly disappeared protesters and activists, with reports of individuals being arrested, detained, beaten, and even killed for expressing views critical of the Taliban.

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