Middle East
Human rights in state of collapse in Afghanistan: Don’t forget about ISIS-K too
Amidst continuous role on the part of the international community, especially UN gun-toting Taliban have celebrated what they called “victorious return” into power corridors of war Afghanistan couple of days back. Giving a deaf ear response to international community’s appeals of “honoring and respecting human rights (HR),” Taliban rulers on that particular occasion also demonstrated its inhuman and immoral acts of punishing and victimizing innocent civilians especially those who remained part of previous regimes or believed in other religious faith.
Instead of listening to cries of war affected Afghans who are passing through miserable conditions throughout the world and HR defenders, one Taliban office holder has defended, “denial of education rights to women” by saying, “similar is the situation in Israel where civilians are subjected to the worst kind of violence.” On that particular day, instead of answering to stock of queries regarding women and children rights, the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid through X page message “has stressed on the implementation of justice in Afghanistan and warned if justice is not implemented the regime will be collapsed.” Such remarks on the part of Mujahid also confirm that Afghan Taliban, fearing threats to their regime, imposed on Afghans through guns and bullets.
No one can deny the fact that since a long the UN and other international organs are helpless before US lead allies who give preference to its own purposes and interests in war like situations especially prolonged Afghan conflict, Ukraine and others. Instead of building up pressure against Taliban to observe human rights as it did against former USSR backed regimes from December 1979 till April 1992, the US has admitted to releasing a huge amount of 239 million US dollars to Kabul authorities. Amidst this confession, senior most Pakistani politician Afrasiab Khattak is known for his words, “in accordance with Doha Qatar agreement, US making payment to Kabul on weekly basis.”
Since 2021, Taliban systematically stripped women of their rights, including education and work
On the eve of Taliban’s third year, the Rawadari, an organization working for rights in its statement states, “Taliban have increased their enforcement of their repressive policies against women including detaining women for their “bad hijab” and arresting teachers for running secret classes for girls.” It recalled that on August 15, 2021, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, leading to severe consequences for Afghans, particularly women and girls. Over the past three years, the Taliban have systematically stripped women of their fundamental rights, including the right to education, work and freedom of movement. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where girls are banned from secondary education. The Taliban have increased their enforcement of their repressive policies against women including detaining women for their “bad hijab” and arresting teachers for running secret classes for girls.”
It further states, “Rawadari has continuously monitored and documented these violations, despite severe and increasing restrictions on access to information by the Taliban. From August 15, 2021, to June 30, 2024, Rawadari has recorded 9,276 cases of human rights violations, nearly half of which involve the right to life. These include targeted killings, civilian casualties from attacks, enforced disappearances, illegal detentions and cruel punishments.”
Besides, Rawadari, the UN also denounced the Taliban for its aggressions based policies towards the civilians, by saying, “ The International Community must not normalize de facto authorities and their regime of institutionalized discrimination, segregation and exclusion of women and girls.” “Over the past three years, the people of Afghanistan, especially women and girls, have been subjected to an appalling and intensifying attack on their rights and freedoms by a regime that lacks legitimacy and inclusivity, quashes all forms of dissent, represses civil society and the media, and has shown a flagrant disregard for the principles of justice, non-discrimination, equality, and the rule of law.”
Taliban labels women and girl’s rights to education and work as an internal matter
It further states that the situation continues to deteriorate, and stronger international action is needed immediately. In the last year, the Taliban has further entrenched and intensified its system of institutionalized gender-oppression, introducing new discriminatory edicts and practices, and implementing them by harsh and violent means. Since taking power, the de facto authorities have issued more than 80 edicts, directives, and statements which specifically target and restrict the rights of women and girls.
According to a UN statement, “the Taliban’s deliberate subjugation of women and girls is widespread and systematic, amounting to crimes against humanity, including the crime of gender persecution. The situation is so severe that many Afghans, especially women, say the situation can be best described as ‘gender apartheid.’ Despite this, Taliban officials have insisted the situation of women and girls is an ‘internal’ matter.
Whatever the claims and stances on the part of Taliban and their “visible and invisible” patrons, the fact is that they converted Afghanistan into a “BIG PRISON” where the inmates are safe but their lives are at mercy of rulers. Despite adopting or following patience and restraint policies, even the regional countries are reluctant in having friendly and cordial relations with Afghanistan due to UN pressures. In the last three years, over 0.7 million have made good their flee towards western and European world. Millions of others, not only those waiting for chances in neighboring South and Central Asian States but also in the Arab world are in hunt of fleeing to western world for their survival.
Compared to the 1990s, the internal situation of Afghanistan is hostile for those who either remained part of the US backed Afghan War or Western-World supported democratic process. One can disagree but the fact is that the US lead allies through the Doha Accord achieved what they didn’t through the 2001 War on Terror and 1988 Geneva Accord. Prior to Taliban entrance in Kabul, Pakistan had also played an important role in remaining a very honest and sincere inheritance to British Colonial rulers famous strategic policies of “divide and rule.” Earlier in the 1990s almost non-Pushtoon Afghans didn’t leave the country and remained on the forefront of armed resistance against Pakistan patronized by the Taliban. But this time healthy wealthy like Dostam and co already settled in Turkey and almost successors and followers of late Prof. Rabbani and Ahmad Shah Mehsud airlifted to Pakistan little before the entrance of Taliban into Kabul.
Taliban ties with Pakistan turning unfriendly or even foes-like relations; Meanwhile don’t forget about ISIS-K
Major failure on the part of Taliban could be considered its growing unfriendly or even foes like relations with Pakistan. Such relations are only multiplying miseries of common people but it is also paving the way for strengthening or consolidating positions of Islamic State Khurasan. Strengthening of IS K is not only harmful to the very interests of Afghanistan and its people but it is considered “a very fastly emerging threat” to regional countries especially to neighbors including Pakistan. The Afghanistan Security Watch, an online organization in its report about the ISIS-K operations states that during the past three years in Afghanistan and said after August 15,2021 this group has conducted 62 terrorist attacks, leading to 857 deaths and 1,575 injuries, affecting civilians, Taliban members, and foreign nationals. According to reports, almost all of these attacks, apart from capital Kabul, have been carried out in cities and towns adjacent to neighboring countries. In 2019, Afghan government with help of US and others picked up over three thousands IS-K militants from Nangarhar and its surrounding areas. Afghanistan Security Watch Report reveals, “in 2021 following the Taliban’s release of approximately 3,000 ISKP members and their families from prisons, the group rebuilt its structure and emerged as a significant threat to Afghanistan and the broader region. 2022: Internal discord, weak governance, and divisions within the Taliban allowed ISKP to increase its influence within various Taliban factions and expand its terrorist activities in Afghanistan. In this year, ISKP also claimed responsibility for two rocket attacks on Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from Afghan territory. 2023: Intelligence cooperation between the Taliban and regional powers, particularly Iran and Russia, led to targeted operations against ISKP, resulting in a reduction in attacks compared to 2022. 2024: ISKP bolstered its cells by intensifying recruitment and propaganda efforts.”
Security and economic hardships of the South and Central Asian region couldn’t afford a war like situation any more. Keeping in mind increasing miseries of wars, terror and poverty hit people of this particular region, the Taliban leaders must review its internal and external policies. Their ignorance or reluctance towards an inclusive government would definitely enable no other than IS-K militants who are already engaged in waging proxies. It is the time for Taliban leaders to get rid of abroad patronage and let the representative leadership decide the destiny of war affected and war scattered people.
The US State Department stated that it has waived human rights conditions on more than $300 million in military aid to Egypt.
The statement emphasised that this decision was taken in consideration of Cairo’s “helpful role” since the outbreak of the war against Iran.
Egypt began receiving substantial support from the US after signing a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
Since the late 1980s, the country has received approximately $1.3 billion annually in US military assistance.
A portion of this aid is subject to conditions related to human rights and democracy, which can be waived on national security grounds.
Withholding funds, including during the administration of former US President Joe Biden, has caused tension between Cairo and Washington in the past.
A letter dated 21 September and addressed to various congressional committees, obtained by Reuters, stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio “decided to waive the certification requirement under the fiscal year 2025 Foreign Military Financing programme for Egypt of $320 million.”
This waiver was subsequently confirmed by the State Department.
An accompanying memorandum justifying the decision stated that this portion of military aid was “essential for counterterrorism, border security, or non-proliferation programmes, or otherwise important to the national security interests of the United States.”
The memorandum, dated 4 September and bearing Rubio’s signature, stated: “Exercising this waiver authority is critical to the US-Egypt relationship and to US national security priorities, particularly given the helpful role Egypt has played in the aftermath of Operation Epic Fury.”
“Operation Epic Fury” is the designation used by the US military for the campaign launched jointly with Israel against Iran in late February.
The State Department memorandum, whose authenticity was confirmed by two sources in Washington familiar with the letter, did not provide detailed information regarding what was termed Egypt’s “helpful role”.
The State Department’s annual decision on military aid to Egypt typically covers funds allocated for the preceding fiscal year, which ends on 30 September.
A State Department spokesperson stated that Rubio waived the certification in the interest of US national security and that the US continues to cooperate with the Egyptian government across a range of issues.
In an emailed statement, the spokesperson said: “This waiver recognizes the importance of maintaining security cooperation with Egypt at a time of significant security challenges in the region.”
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately comment on the matter.
The spillover effects of the Iran war have imposed a heavy toll on US security partners, including Egypt.
Owing to rising fuel prices and other disruptions, the Egyptian economy is passing through a difficult period.
Under the Biden administration, the US withheld portions of the annual military allocation on multiple occasions over Egypt’s human rights record.
In 2024, following the Hamas-led 7 October attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, the Biden administration set aside human rights conditions, disbursing the entire $1.3 billion allocation to Egypt for the first time in its tenure.
Human rights organisations have long accused Egypt, under the administration of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, of widespread human rights abuses, including torture and enforced disappearances.
This week, Egyptian police detained six journalists from a fact-checking and investigative media outlet, accusing them of spreading false information on behalf of the banned Muslim Brotherhood.
Egyptian authorities state that they have taken steps to address human rights issues. Sisi said stability is paramount and that the government supports human rights by working to provide for basic needs.
Britain has significantly broadened its military export restrictions targeting Israel, suspending or rejecting more than 80 licences for items the IDF could use in Gaza.
This figure is nearly triple the number affected when the policy was first introduced in September 2024.
United Kingdom Minister of State for the Middle East Stephen Doughty said that as part of what he described as a “tighter system” for assessing exports to Israel, more than 50 further export applications have been refused since approximately 30 licences were initially suspended.
Under the initial decision taken in September 2024, 30 of roughly 350 licences were suspended after the British government concluded there was a “clear risk” that certain military exports could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.
The affected equipment included components for military aircraft, drones, naval systems, and targeting gear.
Doughty said additional measures adopted this month established what he termed a “double safeguard” mechanism within the approvals process.
Export applications must now be assessed both against existing international humanitarian law criteria and in light of Britain’s position on the legality of Israel’s presence in the Palestinian territories.
“We have so far suspended or refused more than 80 licences,” Doughty said, adding that he had personally examined each licence.
Despite the wider restrictions, British-origin parts entering the international F-35 fighter jet supply chain continue to be largely exempt.
The UK government argues that preventing British-made components from entering the global F-35 pool could undermine the programme as a whole and have serious consequences for the security of the UK and its allies.
Direct exports of F-35 parts intended specifically for Israel remain suspended.
Doughty defended maintaining the supply of components via the international programme, arguing that halting it could have severe ramifications for the broader European and allied security architecture.
Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Emily Thornberry challenged this position, arguing that the issue was political rather than purely legal.
Thornberry suggested adopting an approach similar to the Dutch model, under which components entering the international supply chain could be flagged as “not intended for aircraft bound for Israel”.
The initial suspension was implemented in September 2024 by then Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
Lammy stressed at the time that the measure did not constitute an arms embargo and applied solely to items assessed as usable in military operations in Gaza.
Since then, the policy has been tightened further under Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
The expanded export restrictions follow the Burnham government’s adoption of a more confrontational policy toward the Israeli government.
Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband drew sustained applause at the Labour Party’s annual conference in Liverpool after delivering a sharp critique of the Netanyahu government’s policies and defending the decision to ban trade with Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, Miliband stated that the British government heard public outrage over the conflict, telling delegates: “We hear you. You were right.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with representatives of Gulf and Arab nations that lack diplomatic ties with Israel, including Saudi Arabia, during his weekend visit to the United Arab Emirates.
Sources close to the gathering told the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth on Monday that representatives from Morocco, Libya, Jordan, and Qatar also took part in the meeting.
Netanyahu made a unannounced visit to Abu Dhabi on Sunday, where he met with the country’s leader, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to Israeli media, this marked the first time the United Arab Emirates officially confirmed a visit by Netanyahu.
The meeting was arranged by Mossad Director Roman Goffman “at the request of Saudi Arabia, which asked for Israel’s assistance against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea region,” according to Yedioth Ahronoth.
The discussions addressed Iran and the Houthi militia. The newspaper added that the Arab states heard from Israel that “Israel is prepared to assist countries in the region with air defence systems, just as it aided the UAE during the conflict with Iran.”
Conflict in Yemen intensified in September when Ansarullah militiamen launched a rapid offensive that seized Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline, including the vital maritime corridor of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The Yemeni resistance also imposed a blockade on Saudi Arabia’s energy exports and staged multiple attacks against the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia reportedly sought military assistance from the US to counter Ansarullah.
Washington declined to attack the Houthis directly, but announced that it would provide intelligence and targeting support.
Reporting on the same visit, The Jerusalem Post said Netanyahu spent six hours in the UAE and that the principal subject of his discussions with MBZ was Iran.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, the newspaper added that the trip came “after Netanyahu exerted heavy pressure on the United Arab Emirates to arrange a meeting ahead of the Israeli elections on 27 October.”
Separately, the Associated Press, citing a person with direct knowledge of the meeting, reported that Netanyahu’s visit to the UAE was arranged in part to ask MBZ to deny reports that he had warned the Israeli prime minister of an impending Hamas threat prior to 7 October 2023.
According to Israeli media, Netanyahu’s office denied the AP report, issuing the following statement:
“Fake news. The visit focused solely on strengthening ties between the two countries and on regional issues.”
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