Five Years, One Regime: Afghanistan’s Taliban Rule Faces Fresh Rights Concerns

The Taliban on Saturday marked five years since returning to power in Afghanistan, staging celebrations intended to project an image of control while international organisations and rights groups warned of worsening humanitarian and rights conditions. Outside the former US embassy in Kabul, armoured Taliban vehicles participated in a parade featuring flags and banners as the government described the anniversary as a “victory day” over Western domination. Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani credited morale, courage and divine assistance for the group's return to power while acknowledging that problems remained.

The anniversary comes as the Taliban continue to face criticism over restrictions imposed on Afghan women and girls since taking control in 2021. According to UNESCO, around 2.5 million women and girls have been barred from secondary schools and universities, while restrictions have also affected their freedom of movement. UN Women data released this week indicated that half of Afghan women now leave their homes only once or twice a month. The Taliban maintain that women's rights are respected in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law.

The Taliban government also remains internationally isolated, although it has made some diplomatic progress. Russia is currently the only country to have formally recognised the Taliban government, while several other countries have maintained varying levels of engagement with Kabul. Relations with Pakistan have become increasingly tense, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban of supporting Pakistani insurgents. At the same time, the Taliban have sought economic and diplomatic arrangements with countries in the region and have engaged with European governments looking for ways to deport Afghans.

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The fifth anniversary also comes amid security concerns and recent attacks targeting Taliban officials in northeastern Afghanistan. The Taliban's information director in Badakhshan province was killed in an attack in late July that was later claimed by Islamic State, while the mayor of the provincial capital was also reported to have been killed in an attack on Thursday. Taliban officials had not immediately confirmed the reports. The developments have added to the challenges facing the authorities as they attempt to consolidate their control.

Humanitarian organisations have warned that Afghanistan's needs have reached record levels despite declining foreign aid. The International Rescue Committee attributed the worsening situation to drought, the aftermath of deadly earthquakes and the deportation of Afghans from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan. It said the number of Afghans requiring humanitarian assistance had increased by 3.5 million since 2021. A senior UN representative also stressed that lasting peace and prosperity would require more than an end to conflict and would depend on ensuring that the rights and potential of all Afghans are realised.

For many Afghans, the political anniversary remains closely connected to daily economic and social difficulties. Fatima, a 28-year-old Afghan woman, returned to Afghanistan after being deported from Iran, where she had been able to work as a make-up artist. She now struggles to meet basic expenses while worrying about her child's future. As the Taliban mark five years in power, the government is seeking to demonstrate stability and expand diplomatic engagement, while rights groups and humanitarian organisations continue to raise concerns about restrictions, poverty and the country's growing humanitarian needs.

Also Read: 24 Lakh Afghan Girls Remain Shut Out of Secondary School Under Taliban Rule