The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Wednesday that the U.S. assesses human rights issues in Afghanistan from Washington, without having direct knowledge or presence in the country.

Mujahid made these remarks in response to the U.S. State Department’s annual report on human rights, adding that since the U.S. embassy is not present in Afghanistan, it cannot observe the realities, progress, or human rights issues on the ground.

“These reports [about human rights in Afghanistan] are prepared in Washington and express concerns. Most of them have a political tone and serve as a tool for propaganda,” he said.

He further emphasized that the U.S. should compare the human rights situation during the time of occupation with the current state in Afghanistan to determine which period had better human rights protection.

He stressed: “The U.S. should not worry about Afghanistan, because this country knows what the rights of its citizens are. There is a religious and legal perspective in Afghanistan, and a religious obligation to address the rights of its citizens.”

The U.S. State Department’s annual report stated that human rights protections in Afghanistan have significantly deteriorated under the Islamic Emirate.

The report also cited restrictions imposed by the IEA on women and freedom of expression.