KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Amnesty International says the human rights situation in Afghanistan worsened in 2024, as women, ethnic and religious minorities, and LGBTI people faced increasing abuse and discrimination.
In its annual report released on Tuesday, the rights group said women and girls were subjected to “gender persecution,” which it described as a crime against humanity. Their rights to education, work, and movement remained severely restricted, despite a 2023 UN Security Council resolution urging the Taliban to reverse such measures.
“In December 2024, the Taliban banned women and girls from studying medical sciences. They were already barred from sports, parks, public baths, and traveling over 72km without a male guardian,” Amnesty said.
Amnesty also noted a rise in gender-based violence and forced and early marriages. Between January 2022 and June 2024, at least 840 cases were documented, including 332 killings of women and girls.
Ethnic and religious groups, particularly the Shia-Hazara community, faced growing discrimination and attacks. “There were reports of the Taliban forcing Shia Muslims to convert to Sunni Islam,” the group said. Meanwhile, the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-KP) continued deadly attacks against Hazaras in mosques, schools, and other civilian areas.
Amnesty said the Taliban used arrests and forced disappearances to silence people seen as political opponents. These included former government employees, religious scholars, activists, and journalists. By June 2024, about 20,000 people, including 1,500 women, were reportedly in prison.
Public punishments were also on the rise. Amnesty pointed to growing reports of floggings and executions, warning: “There are signs the Taliban may resume stoning as punishment for adultery.”
LGBTI individuals, according to the report, continued to face discrimination, threats, and arbitrary detention under the Taliban regime.
The organization criticized the international response to the deteriorating situation. “The UN and the international community failed to address impunity for ongoing and past atrocities.,” Amnesty said.
The Taliban have not responded to the latest report. In the past, they have dismissed similar findings as propaganda.
