Human Rights Research League

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Research. Education. Advocacy. Development. (R.E.A.D.)

Afghanistan

 

More than four years after the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan, the humanitarian and human rights situation in the country remains dire. Hunger is widespread, with more than a third of the population facing acute food insecurity, a situation also exacerbated by recent mass deportations conducted by Iran and Pakistan. 

 

The exclusion of women from work and public life, and of girls from education beyond 6th grade, further contributes to this precarious situation and will have a lasting, negative effect not only on the mental health of those deprived of opportunities for personal growth, but on the development of the country.

 

Since the Taliban's return to power, Human Rights Research League has documented revenge killings and other serious human rights violations in Afghanistan and regularly intervenes at the UN Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, in debates, conferences, and side events, organizes academic discussions and seminars, and engages in advocacy efforts to the benefit of Afghanistan's suffering population. 

 

 

 

 

On 26 February 2026, at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Human Rights Research League delivered an oral statement during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan and the OHCHR Country Report. Speaking on behalf of HRRL, Nazifa Jalali underlined that for many women, especially from minority communities, violations are not isolated incidents, but a constant condition. The loss of employment, education, and freedom of movement has deepened economic dependency, increased forced and child marriages, and intensified domestic violence and mental health crises. Economic hardship is also driving families to force girls into early marriages. Taliban decrees have institutionalized discrimination, erased women from public life, and closed all avenues of accountability. Therefore, states should refrain from recognizing the Taliban unless they fully uphold international human rights standards, especially women's rights. For further details, please see the video of the Oral Statement on UN Web TV.