Afghanistan has continuously been a nation struggling with political challenges, conflict, and problems within the society. After the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, a sharp turn has occurred in the country, especially concerning human rights.

For instance, the United Nations envoy in Afghanistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), has been following the human rights situation and analyzing developments on the matter. In the most recent report by UNAMA, the General human rights situation in Afghanistan has continued to deteriorate, and the restriction of human rights and fundamental freedoms, progression of gender rights, and women’s rights have regressed.

UNAMA reports that secondary schools for girls remain shut, symbolizing a major rollback in women’s rights.

The events that transpired in Afghanistan in 2021 signified by the capture of Kabul and overthrowing of the Western-supported government show how fast the Taliban can move when they want to. The Taliban pledged to adhere to human rights regardless of their race, and the rights of women, children, and minorities. That said, their activities in the following months have sparked controversies. In its reports, UNAMA has noted which commitments made by the Taliban are not matched by the reality on the ground.

Based on the UNAMA report, one of the most worrisome findings is the total inability of women and girls to have access to education. Subsequently, the Taliban has clearly declared that secondary schools for girls will remain shut and they have completely reverted the positive aspects of the education sector in the country.

The intervention provoked massive criticism from the global society, however, the Taliban at most times did not budge from this practice as they said it was religious and cultural. This has in fact seen millions of girls deny their right to education and with this, the gender inequality cycle is completed in the country.

The UNAMA report also reveals critical details on issues to do with restrictions to freedom of expression. Journalists and media outlets have delineated a high level of restrictions after the return of the Taliban. The Taliban has accused released journalists who displayed discontentment against their authority and has harassed them, arresting some while assaulting others.

Journalists face constant harassment and arrests, stifling media freedoms and diminishing independent reporting.

As such, UNAMA has reportedly a lot of cases of journalists being assaulted, arrested, threatened, and intimidated. The Ministry of Vice and Virtue has put restrictions on what is aired and published by Afghan media organizations and has silenced independent media reporters on specific issues. Consequently, the Afghan that used to boast a robust media industry has shrunk and many practitioners have either resigned or are practicing self-censorship to avoid deportation.

However, censorship is not limited to media professionals only, every citizen of the nation suffers to the extent where their freedom of speech is concerned. Other online forums have also been targeted; the Taliban has been policing the internet and banned accounts on social media. Power discontent or any form of protest tby he government attracts arrest, imprisonment, and disturbing treatment. The suppression of free speech has also been a common violation of the rights of Afghan citizens to fully engage in matters affecting them as they fear for their lives.

Afghanistan is multi-ethnic and multi-religious and there are contacts including different ethnic groups and religious: minorities such as Hazaras, Sikhs, and Hindus. The report by UNAMA shows that such groups are still being oppressed by the Taliban even after they came to power.

The Taliban has attacked the Hazaras because of the latter’s Shia Muslim identity, which has increased sectarianism. Targeted killings, bombing, and forced displacement of Hazara people have been increasingly reported as the fate of Laith’s family. To date, the Taliban has not given equal rights to minorities along with education, health, and employment rights.

Ethnic and religious minorities like Hazaras, Sikhs, and Hindus suffer intensified sectarian attacks and forced displacement.

Religious minorities such as Sikhism and Hinduism are harassed and even killed in the country. The Taliban has not done much to ensure the rights of such groups, and there have been some attacks on religious buildings, making religious minorities feel so insecure. The international community has pointed out that the Taliban does not respect the fundamental rights of people of all ethnical and religious groups.

Till now, Afghanistan is not fully secure, and several armed groups are active throughout the country. Even when having control in the government’s hands, the Taliban is occupied with efforts to consolidate power as well as achieve peace.

A clear manifestation of this is the existence of the ISIS Khorasan province which has been accused of perpetrating heinous crimes against the people that include, bombing civilians, government personnel, as well as targeted religious groups.

Most of these attacks have been executed on religious houses or centers of congregation, which have caused the loss of many lives and compounded the problem of a humanitarian crisis in the country.

Armed groups, including ISIS-K, continue to inflict violence on civilians, compounding Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis.

The report of UNAMA also included the violence that the Taliban themselves used when dealing with protesters or anyone who criticized it. This claims that the Taliban have shot protesters, beaten protesters, and arbitrarily arrested them and others at gunpoint.

Violence against demonstrators and the dangers used by the authorities against opponents prejudice the right to organize meetings and demonstrations and decrease confidence in the authorities.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.