A new report from Genocide Watch states that the human rights situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule has reached dangerous levels, placing certain groups at the "persecution" stage, which is a precursor to genocide. The report details widespread abuses against critics, former officials, and minorities.
Released on Monday, October 20, the report classifies the situation for women and girls under the stage of "discrimination" due to systemic rights violations. It places the status of ethnic and religious minorities, LGBTQ individuals, and former government employees at the "persecution" stage. These groups face arbitrary detentions, torture, corporal punishment, and extrajudicial executions without access to fair trials.
According to the report, in the first half of this year alone, the Taliban subjected at least 449 people to corporal punishment and arbitrarily detained 777 individuals. Furthermore, at least 12 public executions have been carried out since the Taliban took power in 2021.
The report highlights targeted attacks on minorities, particularly Shia Muslims. It cites the detention of 45 Shias for raising Ashura flags, the closure of their mosques, the forced transfer of Shia children to Sunni religious schools, and the coercion of 203 Shia Muslims to convert their faith as evidence of systematic persecution.
Regarding women's rights, the report points to severe restrictions such as the endorsement of child marriage, obstacles for women seeking divorce, the ban on girls' education beyond the sixth grade, and the detention of women for failing to adhere to the Taliban's strict dress code. Alongside Taliban oppression, the ISIS terrorist group continues its deadly attacks on Hazaras and other minorities.
Genocide Watch also criticizes neighboring countries for the forced deportation of nearly three million Afghan migrants, which it says has led to the enforced disappearance of some former government officials. The organization calls on the UN to renew the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan and UNAMA, and to officially recognize "gender apartheid" as a crime against humanity.
Source: Genocide Watch
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