Taliban accused of gang rape and torture of detained woman activist
Manizha Siddiqi, a women’s rights activist and former prisoner of the Taliban, has alleged that she was subjected to gang rape by members of the Taliban while in their custody. The harrowing account adds to the growing allegations of human rights violations committed by the Taliban against women in Afghanistan.
Siddiqi, who spent seven months in detention, revealed in an interview with Amu TV that she was raped on two occasions: first at the Taliban's “Directorate 40 of Intelligence” and later at Pul-e-Charkhi Prison. She further described enduring relentless physical and psychological torture throughout her imprisonment.
After her release, Siddiqi fled Afghanistan and is currently living in one of the country’s neighboring states. However, her situation remains precarious. “I am living under extremely harsh and difficult conditions,” she said, citing economic struggles and ongoing security threats. Despite reaching out repeatedly to human rights organizations for assistance, she claims to have received no support and fears deportation due to a lack of legal documentation.
Siddiqi called on the international community to officially recognize the Taliban’s treatment of women as “gender apartheid” and to take action to bring the regime to justice. She urged global leaders and human rights organizations to intervene, emphasizing the need for accountability for the Taliban’s crimes.
Her ordeal began in October 2022 when Taliban intelligence arrested her for burning a photograph of the group’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, during a protest. Siddiqi was released in April 2023 but says the trauma of her detention continues to haunt her.
These allegations come amid escalating concerns over the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls, including widespread reports of violence, restrictions on freedoms, and exclusion from public life. Human rights advocates have warned that the situation in Afghanistan demands immediate global attention.
The Taliban has yet to respond to Siddiqi’s allegations, which further highlight the need for independent investigations into human rights abuses in Afghanistan.
