Prospects of HRDs in Afghanistan 2nd Round of the Strategic Dialogue of Afghan HRDs Berlin, Germany
The 2nd Strategic Dialogue of Afghan Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Exile, themed “Prospects of HRDs in Afghanistan: Accountability and Representation,” was held on December 10–11, 2024, at the Mercure Hotel MOA in Berlin. Coinciding with International Human Rights Day, the event brought together 64 confirmed in-person participants and 43 confirmed online attendees, who faced […]
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM FOR AFGHANISTAN
INTRODUCTIONSince taking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed ever-more extreme restrictions on human rights. The rights of women and girls have been especially affected: they have been barred from education beyond sixth grade and many forms of employment, and banned from singing, reading aloud, or even being heard outside their houses. LGBTQI+ people […]
Open Letter To: Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Dear Excellencies, We, the undersigned Afghanistan and international human rights and civil society organisations, write to you once again to share our concerns regarding the grave human rights and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and to reiterate the urgent need for accountability for gross, widespread and systematic human rights violations and abuses that continue to be […]
HRD+ Legal Analysis: A Review of the Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice
IntroductionOne of the prominent features of the de facto administration is the enforcement of numerous laws and decrees that result in widespread violations of the fundamental human rights of Afghanistan citizens. Most recently, the Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Official Gazette No. 1452), published by this interim government, is in various […]
The position paper by the Human Rights Defenders (HRD+) “Three years after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.”
The people of Afghanistan have endured three years of challenging conditions involving restrictions on human rights, widespread poverty, and a lack of legitimacy and the rule of law. During this period, the de facto Taliban administration imposed a dictatorial, religious extremist rule on society and banned citizens’ freedoms. The Taliban disregarded the right to political […]
Open Letter To: Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Dear Excellencies, We, the undersigned organisations, take this opportunity to write to you regarding the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan and the urgent need for accountability for gross and systematic human rights violations and abuses, including crimes under international law. We call upon the Member and Observer States of the U.N. Human Rights Council […]
Ending Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan is a Global Responsibility!
Legal Note #1: “Internalizing” gender apartheid by the Taliban de facto administration Dr. Malek Sitez, Senior Researcher on Human Rights and International Law Apartheid is the ugliest and most severe form of discrimination imposed on citizens by laws, structures, policies, and official mechanisms. Human society has witnessed various forms of apartheid, the most inhumane of […]
Women Must Play a Dynamic Role and Have Direct Participation in the Upcoming Doha Talks
The HRD+ is deeply concerned about the absence of Afghan women’s important role and position in the upcoming Doha talks. The United Nations, which is organizing and managing these talks, is obligated to respect the fundamental role of women in resolving issues in Afghanistan in accordance with international laws, particularly international human rights. The people […]
Call for the Human Rights Defenders Network (HRD+) to Combat the Spread of the Culture of Immunity Against War Crimes and Human Rights Violations in Afghanistan by Some Governments Around the World
STOP NORMALIZING IMMUNITY FOR WAR CRIMINALS AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATORS!Some governments have been attempting to grant immunity to individuals who are on international blacklists for committing human rights violations and war crimes, despite facing legal, political, and economic sanctions from the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). These individuals are being granted travel visas and the […]
Open Letter from Civil Society and Human Rights Activists of Afghanistan Regarding Cases of Political, Financial, and Administrative Corruption in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been affected by widespread political, financial, and administrative corruption, leading to the breakdown of the political system and undermining trust between citizens and the government. Resources that were provided by the international community to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2021 for the benefit of the Afghan people were misused by corrupt politicians, impeding the […]