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UN report highlights rights violations in Afghanistan; IEA rejects it as ‘propaganda’
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in a report on Wednesday highlighted human rights abuses since takeover of the country by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) in August last year.
The report summarises UNAMA’s findings with regards to the protection of civilians, extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests and detentions, the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, fundamental freedoms and the situation in places of detention.
Despite an overall, significant reduction in armed violence, between mid-August 2021 and mid-June 2022, UNAMA recorded 2,106 civilian casualties (700 killed, 1406 wounded).
The majority of civilian casualties were attributed to targeted attacks by Daesh against ethnic and religious minority communities in places where they go to school, worship and go about their daily lives, UNAMA said.
“It is beyond time for all Afghans to be able to live in peace and rebuild their lives after 20 years of armed conflict. Our monitoring reveals that despite the improved security situation since 15 August, the people of Afghanistan, in particular women and girls, are deprived of the full enjoyment of their human rights,” said Markus Potzel, acting UN envoy to Afghanistan.
UNAMA’s report highlights specific concerns with respect to two bodies within IEA – the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice and the General Directorate of Intelligence.
According to UNAMA, although the ministry’s directives are said to be recommendatory in nature, at times members of IEA have taken a harsh stance on their implementation, including carrying out physical punishments for alleged infringements of their directives.
UNAMA reported 160 extrajudicial killings, 178 arbitrary arrests and detentions and 56 instances of torture and ill-treatment of former ANDSF and government officials by IEA authorities.
It also reported 59 extrajudicial killings, 22 arbitrary arrests and detentions and seven incidents of torture and ill-treatment by IEA authorities of individuals accused of Daesh affiliation.
In addition, 18 extrajudicial killings, 54 instances of torture and ill-treatment and 113 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention and 23 cases of incommunicado detention of individuals accused of affiliation with self-identified “National Resistance Front” were also reported by UNAMA.
According to the report, there were human rights violations affecting 173 journalists and media workers, 163 of which were attributed to IEA authorities. Among these were 122 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention, 58 instances of ill-treatment, 33 instances of threats and intimidation and 12 instances of incommunicado detention.
“The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of opinion are not only fundamental freedoms, they are necessary for the development and progression of a nation. They allow meaningful debate to flourish, also benefiting those who govern by allowing them to better understand the issues and problems facing the population,” said Fiona Frazer, UNAMA Chief of Human Rights.
IEA however rejected the report as a “propaganda.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for IEA, said extrajudicial killings and arbitrary arrests are not allowed.
He said if anyone commits extrajudicial killing or arbitrary detention, he will be treated as a criminal and will face Sharia law.
Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of IEA, also said that IEA is the only force defending the rights of the Afghan people, and it is the real representative of the Afghan people.
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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