Human Rights Violations in Afghanistan: The Taliban Must Be Held Accountable

Introduction
Sexual violence, as one of the gravest forms of human rights violations, represents a direct assault on human dignity and has far-reaching impacts on individuals, communities, and societal institutions. This phenomenon not only undermines social cohesion, psychological security, and public trust but also poses a serious threat to social stability and the rule of law. Within the framework of international law, acts of sexual violence are explicitly condemned, with key documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 1 and 3), the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, and the international criminal justice system recognizing sexual violence, including rape and assault, as serious crimes.

The Situation in Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule:

Since the Taliban’s return to power, Unfortunately, international laws, particularly those related to human rights and women’s rights, are being flagrantly violated by the Taliban widespread concerns about human rights violations, particularly those affecting women, have emerged. The Taliban’s extremist interpretations of Islamic Sharia and systematic restrictions have significantly curtailed women’s access to justice. Reports from human rights organizations indicate that protective mechanisms for victims of sexual violence have been entirely dismantled, while incidents such as sexual assaults, degrading treatment, and violations of human dignity have become commonplace. What has been happening in Afghanistan has prevented the Taliban from becoming an active member of the international community and from fulfilling its global responsibilities regarding human rights and women's rights.
However, the Taliban regime has disregarded any of these commitments, creating an environment where violence and injustice have become institutionalized. The justice and law enforcement systems under Taliban control have failed to enforce any international laws. Worse still, the regime’s passivity or direct involvement in such crimes has exacerbated the crisis. The absence of rule of law and protective mechanisms has left victims of sexual violence without access to justice and vulnerable to humiliation, discrimination, and secondary violence. This situation has severe social consequences, eroding public trust in state and judicial structures and weakening social cohesion. Moreover, the institutionalization of violence and injustice perpetuates a cycle of mistrust, insecurity, and violations of fundamental rights that will affect future generations.

The Role of the International Community:

The international community has a profound moral and legal obligation to address the crisis of sexual violence in Afghanistan. This responsibility stems from both ethical principles and established international legal frameworks designed to protect human rights and uphold justice in the face of systemic abuses. One of the most significant frameworks in this regard is the principle of Responsibility to Protect (R2P), which mandates that states and international organizations take all necessary measures to prevent and respond to mass atrocities, including sexual violence, a serious breach of international humanitarian and human rights law.
Practical actions that the international community can and must undertake include exerting sustained diplomatic pressure on regimes like the Taliban to abide by international legal norms and human rights standards. This may involve imposing targeted sanctions against individuals and entities directly involved in human rights abuses, signaling that such actions will not go unpunished.
An essential component of the international response is the provision of comprehensive humanitarian aid, specifically designed to address the needs of victims of sexual violence. This aid should include medical care, psychological support, safe shelter, and pathways to justice. Additionally, international actors must work towards establishing and strengthening mechanisms for accountability, including supporting international investigations and tribunals where domestic systems fail or are complicit in perpetuating abuses.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the crisis of sexual violence in Afghanistan constitutes a blatant and urgent violation of human rights, requiring swift and coordinated action from the global community. The absence of rule of law, ineffective support systems, and the Taliban’s consistent violations of domestic and international laws have created an environment where sexual violence continues unchecked and unpunished. This situation is not merely a national issue but a global human rights crisis with far-reaching consequences.
To address this crisis, a comprehensive approach is essential, involving the collaboration of governments, international organizations, and human rights institutions. The global community, under the leadership of the United Nations and in accordance with international law, must urgently work toward establishing a legitimate and lawful government in Afghanistan that upholds citizens’ rights and fundamental human rights principles. Furthermore, robust support mechanisms must be created for victims, and the perpetrators of these crimes, whether within the Taliban or outside it, must be held accountable.
Only through coordinated and collective efforts can the cycle of violence be broken, justice established, and the dignity and rights of the Afghan people restored. The international community must unite in its resolve to hold the perpetrators accountable, provide support and assistance to victims, and rebuild Afghanistan’s legal and social systems in a way that ensures the protection of human rights for all. The time to act is now, and only through globally coordinated efforts can a future be envisioned where justice, equality, and human dignity become a reality for the people of Afghanistan.
The current situation in Afghanistan, along with the blatant violations of human rights and the rights and freedoms of women, is the responsibility of international institutions and countries that support human rights. In order to compel the Taliban to stop this situation, both short-term and long-term programs need to be implemented. All financial resources that have allowed the Taliban to stay in power and use them against their political opponents should be cut off. Countries seeking to maintain close relations with Afghanistan must not ignore the daily violations of human rights; international pressure should be applied. The Taliban must understand that any action against human rights and the freedoms of women will not go without consequences.

References
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), 1948.
- Geneva Conventions (1949) and Additional Protocols.
- Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), 1998.
- Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), 1979.
- International Human Rights Reports (2023).
- Hasht e Subh Daily Newspaper.