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Rights watchdog calls for IEA to ease back on moral policing
This comes after UNAMA released its report titled, De Facto Authorities’ Moral Oversight in Afghanistan: Impacts on Human Rights, earlier this week.
Amnesty International on Wednesday called for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to roll back on moral policing.
Responding to a new report by the United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMA) in Afghanistan on the violations of human rights by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MPVPV), Amnesty International said the moral policing has had a decaying effect on human rights in the country.
Zaman Sultani, regional researcher for South Asia at Amnesty International, said: “This report lays bare the role of the Taliban’s MPVPV in violating various human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan.
“Its arbitrary, inconsistent and ambiguous record of morally policing the people of Afghanistan, with an institutionalized system of discrimination that disproportionately impacts women and girls, has had a decaying effect on human rights in the country.”
Healso stated that “the arbitrary, inconsistent and ambiguous record of morally policing the people of Afghanistan, with an institutionalized system of discrimination that disproportionately impacts women and girls, has had a decaying effect on human rights in the country.”
Sultani went on to say that Amnesty International shares the UN’s call to the Islamic Emirate to guarantee the rights of freedom of expression, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, right to health and work, among a host of other fundamental rights and freedoms as guaranteed under the international human rights treaties to which Afghanistan is a State party.
“The prevalent impunity for the Taliban’s gross violations of human rights and crimes under international law must come to an end,” he said.
He also called for the United Nations to establish a dedicated independent international accountability mechanism to investigate crimes under international law and other serious violations in Afghanistan as well as to collect and preserve evidence for future accountability efforts and prosecutions.
“They must also ensure that gender justice is prioritized and the involvement of women human rights defenders and civil society stakeholders remains central in all engagements with the Taliban on the future of Afghanistan. To fail to do so would be to turn our backs on the victims and their rights to truth, justice and reparation.”
This comes after UNAMA released its report titled, De Facto Authorities’ Moral Oversight in Afghanistan: Impacts on Human Rights, earlier this week.
The report outlines the negative impact that the activities and expanding role of the MPVPV has had on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in various aspects of private and public life for people living in Afghanistan.
The Islamic Emirate meanwhile said Wednesday the claims by UNAMA were unfounded and that all rights were respected in accordance with Sharia.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the IEA’s spokesman said that the rulings recommended by the MPVPV are well-known Islamic rulings.
He said UNAMA was trying to compare Afghanistan’s policies against those of the West, which was not “the right thing to do”.
He added that under the IEA, the rights of all citizens are secured in accordance with Sharia.
“All men and women are dealt with according to Sharia, Sharia rulings are enforceable as laws, and in this case, no one is oppressed or violated,” said Mujahid.
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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has expressed condolences to the governments and people of Qatar and Turkey following a deadly helicopter crash in Qatar.
In a statement, the ministry described the incident as tragic and extended its deep sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives.
According to reports, the helicopter crashed into Qatari territorial waters, killing seven people. Authorities have said the incident was caused by a technical malfunction.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry also prayed for the victims and wished patience and strength for their families.
Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has confirmed that Islamabad has asked Moscow to mediate in the ongoing conflict with Afghanistan.
In an interview with Russian daily Izvestia, Tirmizi said Pakistan is engaging with Russia and appreciates the “wonderful offer” to help resolve tensions. He noted that proposals from Russia, China, Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia led to an agreement on a temporary ceasefire.
“We tell all our interlocutors: please tell the Taliban (IEA) not to use this opportunity simply to regroup, recuperate, rearm, and re-attack,” Tirmizi said. “Because such large states as Russia or Pakistan cannot be destabilized by terrorist acts.”
The ambassador emphasized that decades of war in Afghanistan have affected not only Kabul and Islamabad but also neighboring countries, including Iran, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and even Russia. “Therefore, we must all trade with each other, develop education, art, and culture. Terrorism is the wrong way to go,” he added.
The appeal for mediation comes amid rising cross-Durand Line tensions and violence that have killed hundreds and displaced thousands in recent weeks.
Pakistani officials have repeatedly claimed that militant attacks in the country are organized in Afghanistan.
The IEA however denies the claim saying that Afghanistan is not responsible for Pakistan’s “security failure.”
In an opinion article published on Sunday, Financial Times warned that rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan risk spiraling into a wider conflict, and urged the international community to urgently re-engage with the troubled region.
The publication noted that nearly five years after the Islamic Emirate’s return to power, global attention has largely faded, despite growing instability. It highlighted restrictions on women’s rights and the worsening relationship between Kabul and Islamabad, once close allies.
According to the article, Pakistan’s ties with the IEA have sharply deteriorated since 2021. Islamabad accuses Afghan authorities of harboring militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan—an allegation the IEA denies.
Recent weeks have seen a surge in violence, including cross-Durand Line airstrikes and clashes that have reportedly killed over 1,000 people and displaced more than 100,000. One of the deadliest incidents involved an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, which Afghan officials say killed hundreds.
The newspaper warned that continued escalation could destabilize South and Central Asia and risk turning Afghanistan into a hub for militant activity once again.
It criticized Pakistan’s military approach, saying airstrikes alone cannot end insurgencies, and called for sustained ceasefire efforts following a temporary truce during Eid al-Fitr.
The editorial urged major powers, including the United States and China, to play a more active diplomatic role. It also pointed to China’s strategic interests in the region and suggested Beijing could step forward as a mediator.
Despite past failed attempts at peace, the Financial Times stressed that the risks are too high for the world to remain disengaged.
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