Amnesty International: Afghan civil activists face severe repression under Taliban rule
Amnesty International has issued a strong condemnation of the Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on civil society in Afghanistan, highlighting the severe repression faced by journalists, activists, and protesters since the group's return to power in 2021. In a statement released on Monday, October 30, Amnesty International stated, "Afghan civil society is broken due to the suppression of the Taliban," and emphasized that civil activists are regularly targeted, forcing many to flee the country or go into hiding.
The organization expressed concern over the legal and financial difficulties faced by Afghan activists who have sought refuge in neighboring countries, warning that these individuals are at high risk of being deported back to Afghanistan, where they could face further repression or imprisonment.
Amnesty International's statement came in connection with the recent release of education activists Ahmad Fahim Azimi and Sediqullah Afghan, who were arrested by the Taliban in Mizan 1402 while working with the educational organization Fekr Bethra. The human rights group called for increased international pressure on the Taliban to protect Afghan civil activists, particularly those advocating for the education of girls and women, a cause that has been severely restricted under Taliban rule.
"Together we can protect those who risk everything to defend the freedom and right to education of girls," Amnesty International stated, stressing the urgent need for international support to defend the rights of activists and civil society in Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, arbitrary arrests and detentions of journalists, activists, and educators have increased dramatically. The regime’s policies have targeted those advocating for human rights, freedom of speech, and women's education, as part of a broader effort to silence dissent and maintain strict control over the country.
Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have repeatedly called on the international community to hold the Taliban accountable for these abuses and to ensure the protection of Afghan activists, both inside and outside the country.
