By Mohammad Yasin Samim
Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, Afghanistan has faced a multitude of serious and interconnected challenges that extend far beyond the widely discussed issue of women’s rights. While the systematic oppression of women, who make up half of the country’s nearly 40 million population, remains a critical issue, it is just one facet of a broader crisis that encompasses political exclusion, ethnic and religious discrimination, economic collapse, and widespread humanitarian suffering.
The resurgence of the Taliban has ushered in a government characterized by authoritarianism and exclusion, marked by a systematic dismantling of inclusive governance. The group has established its illegitimate control over state institutions, replacing educated technocrats and civil servants with loyalists who align closely with its militant ideology. This concentration of power has marginalized Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and religious populations, raising significant concerns about national unity and stability. Simultaneously, the Taliban’s refusal to gain international recognition has isolated the regime, exacerbating an economic crisis fueled by the withdrawal of international aid and limited access to global markets.
In addition, the systematic human rights violations under the Taliban have seriously impacted women and girls, with at least 127 edicts and decrees restricting their rights, effectively reversing years of progress in women’s rights and gender equality. The oppressive environment extends beyond women and girls, as the regime has employed extensively ethno-centric policies and treatment that disproportionately affect non-Pashtun communities through forced displacement and land seizures. Furthermore, reports of arbitrary detention and violence against journalists, media workers, and human rights activists demonstrate an alarming curtailment of free expression. As Afghanistan grapples with extreme poverty and humanitarian needs, with 22.9 million residents of the country requiring assistance, the Taliban’s cultural and religious policies further stifle diversity, fostering an atmosphere of repression for both cultural practices and religious minorities.
Given the overview of the problem, this article argues that while the plight of women under the Taliban regime is undeniably a major issue, it is not the sole problem that demands attention in ongoing and future political discussions and peacebuilding efforts, rather a comprehensive and realistic approach to Afghanistan’s future must also address the exclusion of diverse ethnic and religious groups from political participation, the lack of justice and equality, and the Taliban’s unpreceded monopolization of power, which have collectively undermined the country’s stability and development in the long-run.
Afghanistan Political Issues and Strategies to Address
More than three years into Taliban rule, Afghanistan has been grappling with profound political challenges that extend far beyond the widely discussed issues of human rights and economic development. The Taliban regime has established an authoritarian, mono-ethnic, and mono-religious government that systematically excludes the majority of Afghanistan’s diverse population from political participation, governance, and decision-making. This exclusionary approach has exacerbated ethnic and religious tensions, undermined the country’s territorial integrity, and created a breeding ground for insecurity and instability. While the plight of women and girls under Taliban rule has rightly garnered international attention and research, it is critical to recognize that their suffering is part of a broader political crisis rooted in the Taliban’s authoritarian governance, ethnic and religious discrimination, and support for transnational terrorist networks. These issues are further elaborated on in the following section and concluded with actionable recommendations to provide a framework for further discussion at the national and international levels:
1. Authoritarian Political System and Exclusionary Governance
The Taliban regime operates as a highly centralized and authoritarian political system, with decision-making power concentrated in the hands of a small, predominantly Pashtun leadership cadre at national and sub-national levels. The group has abolished Afghanistan’s democratic institutions, including the constitution, parliament, and independent judiciary, replacing them with an opaque and unaccountable governance structure based on its strict interpretation of Sunni Hanafi jurisprudence. This system lacks legitimacy, as it was not established through a participatory or democratic process, and it fails to represent Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and religious groups, including Hazaras, Tajiks, Uzbeks, and others. The Taliban’s governance approach is characterized by the marginalization of non-Pashtun ethnic groups and religious minorities, who are systematically excluded from positions of power in government, the private sector, and higher education, for example, Hazaras, who constitute approximately 15-20% of the population, have been subjected to targeted violence, land grabbing, and forced displacement, particularly in areas such as Daikundi, Ghor, Ghazni, and Bamiyan. Similarly, Tajiks, Uzbeks, and other ethnic minorities who make up a significant portion of the country’s population, have been largely excluded from the Taliban’s governance structures, further deepening ethnic divisions and fueling resentment.
2. Security Challenges and Regional Implications
The Taliban’s authoritarian governance and exclusionary policies have also created significant security challenges, both within Afghanistan and across the region. The regime’s close ties to transnational terrorist networks, including Al-Qaeda, ISIS-K, and Tahrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and many other regional terrorist groups have raised concerns about the potential for Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorism. These groups pose a direct threat to the territorial integrity and stability of neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Russia, and Uzbekistan. For example, ISIS-K has carried out attacks in Afghanistan and some of the regional countries including Russia, while Al-Qaeda has reportedly reestablished its presence in Afghanistan under Taliban protection. The Taliban’s inability or unwillingness to sever ties with these groups undermines regional security and complicates efforts to build trust and cooperation among neighboring states. A responsible and inclusive political system that adheres to international law and respects human rights is essential for addressing these security challenges and fostering regional stability.
3. Land Grabbing, Forced Displacement, and Ethnic Discrimination
One of the most pressing political issues under the Taliban regime is the systematic land grabbing and forced displacement of ethnic and religious minorities. Reports indicate that the Taliban has seized land belonging to Hazaras, Tajiks, and several minority groups, often using violence and intimidation to displace communities and consolidate control over strategic territories. This policy not only undermines the livelihoods of affected communities but also exacerbates ethnic tensions and threatens the country’s fragile social cohesion. For instance, in the central highlands, Hazara communities have been forcibly evicted from their ancestral lands, with reports of Taliban fighters destroying homes and crops to prevent their return. Such actions are part of a broader pattern of discrimination and marginalization that extends to all aspects of life, including access to education, employment, and religious practices. Religious minorities, including Shia Hazaras, Sikhs, Hindus, and Sufi Muslims face severe restrictions on their ability to practice their faith, with reports of Taliban fighters desecrating places of worship and harassing community members.
4. Intersectionality of Women’s Rights and Broader Political Crisis
While the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls have rightly drawn international condemnation, it is important to recognize that their plight is inseparable from the broader political crisis in Afghanistan. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the Taliban’s authoritarian policies due to the intersectionality of gender, ethnicity, and religion. For example, Hazara women face compounded discrimination as both women and members of a persecuted ethnic and religious minority. However, focusing solely on women’s rights risks oversimplifying the complex political dynamics at play in Afghanistan. The international community and Afghan political analysts and media agencies must adopt a more holistic approach that addresses the root causes of the crisis, including the lack of an inclusive political system, the absence of a legitimate government, and the marginalization of ethnic and religious minorities. Without addressing these structural issues, efforts to promote human rights and economic development will remain insufficient and unsustainable.
5. The Need for an Inclusive Political System
The central argument of this analysis is that Afghanistan’s political challenges cannot be resolved without establishing an inclusive political system that guarantees equal participation for all ethnic and religious groups in decision-making processes. A legitimate government, emerging from free and fair elections and supported by a decentralized governance structure, is critical to addressing the country’s deep-rooted ethnic and religious divisions. Such a system would not only advance justice and equality but also create the necessary conditions for sustainable economic growth and social development.
Moreover, Afghanistan’s internal politics and foreign policy must be guided by national interests and a commitment to international law, including adherence to human rights conventions and declarations. This approach would help rebuild trust with the international community and foster regional cooperation on shared challenges, such as counterterrorism, economic integration, and migration management.
Recommendations and Lessons Learned:
- Adopt a Comprehensive Approach: The international community, including the UN system, major powers, and media outlets, must move beyond a narrow focus on specific issues like women’s rights and address the root causes of Afghanistan’s crisis. These include political exclusion, ethnic discrimination, authoritarian governance, and the lack of accountability.
- Promote Inclusive Governance: Support initiatives aimed at establishing an inclusive political system that ensures equitable representation and participation for all ethnic and religious groups. This includes advocating for free and fair elections, decentralized governance, and mechanisms to protect minority rights.
- Condemn Land Grabbing and Forced Displacement: International organizations should systematically document and condemn the Taliban’s policies of land grabbing and forced displacement, which are tools of social engineering. Affected communities must be provided with support, advocacy, and platforms to voice their grievances.
- Enhance Regional Cooperation: Regional actors, including China, Iran, Pakistan, and Central Asian states, must recognize that a stable and inclusive Afghanistan is in their long-term strategic interest. They should collaborate to pressure the Taliban to adopt more inclusive policies, sever ties with terrorist networks, and address emerging security and migration challenges. The past three and a half years of Taliban rule have demonstrated that exclusionary governance exacerbates instability, with ripple effects across the region.
- Provide Humanitarian and Economic Support: While addressing political issues, the international community must continue to deliver humanitarian aid and support economic development to alleviate the suffering of the Afghan people. Robust monitoring and inspection mechanisms should be established to ensure aid reaches those in need and to minimize manipulation by Taliban officials.
Conclusion
The political challenges facing Afghanistan under the Taliban regime are multifaceted and deeply interconnected. The Taliban’s authoritarian, exclusionary, and mono-ethnic governance approach has marginalized most of the population, exacerbated ethnic and religious tensions, and created significant security and humanitarian crises.
While the plight of women and girls remains a critical issue, it must be understood as part of a broader political crisis that demands a comprehensive and inclusive solution. The international community must move beyond a fragmented approach that prioritizes human rights and economic development in isolation. Instead, it must address the root causes of the crisis, including the lack of political inclusivity, legitimacy, and accountability.
Only through the establishment of a legitimate, inclusive, and decentralized political system can Afghanistan achieve lasting peace, stability, and prosperity. This requires sustained commitment from both the Afghan people and the international community to forge a path toward a more equitable and representative future.
References:
- UN-OCHA: UNOCHA Afghanistan, Overview, 2025
- Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/09/afghanistan-taliban-torture-and-execute-hazaras-in-targeted-attack-new-investigation/
- UN-HCR(A-HRC-5580): https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/ahrc5580-situation-human-rights-afghanistan-report-special-rapporteur
- Amnesty International: https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/afghanistan/report-afghanistan/, General Information on Afghanistan
- HRW, World Report 2024: https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2024/country-chapters/afghanistan
- State of World’s Human Rights: https://amnesty.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/AIR-english_2024-04-20.pdf
- Taliban torture and execute Hazaras in targeted attack: https://www.amnesty.ca/human-rights-news/afghanistan-taliban-torture-and-execute-hazaras-in-targeted-attack-new-investigation
- USIP, Afghan Taliban Views on Legitimate Islamic Governance: https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/02/afghan-taliban-views-legitimate-islamic-governance
- GCG: Afghanistan’s Security Challenges under the Taliban; https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-asia/afghanistan/afghanistans-security-challenges-under-taliban
- United Nations Security Council Report, June 2023: https://documents.un.org/doc/undoc/gen/n23/125/36/pdf/n2312536.pdf
- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF): Religious Freedom Report, Aug 2024: https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2024-05/Afghanistan.pdf
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Mohammad Yasin Samim is the project manager at Human Rights and Eradication of Violence Organization
