Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, they have intensified repression, especially against women and girls, Human Rights Watch reports.

Women are banned from secondary and higher education, face severe restrictions on movement, employment, and public life, and have limited access to humanitarian aid and healthcare.

In July 2025, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for top Taliban leaders for gender persecution.

A harsh 2024 morality law is being strictly enforced, with raids, phone checks, and detentions for alleged moral violations. Media freedom is heavily suppressed, and many journalists self-censor to avoid retaliation.

Humanitarian conditions have worsened due to aid cuts, deportations from Iran, Pakistan, and Germany, and US policy changes that restrict Afghan immigration and assistance.

Over 23 million Afghans need food aid, and hundreds of health facilities have closed. Calls for the UN to establish an accountability mechanism have been ignored for four years.

Human Rights Watch urges governments to hold the Taliban accountable and not to forcibly return Afghans.

Source: HRW