KABUL: A new report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, highlighting continued restrictions on women, tighter media controls and allegations of abuses under Taliban authorities.
Covering the period from January to March, the report states that curbs on women’s education, employment and freedom of movement have now entered a fifth consecutive year, with authorities continuing to enforce the measures nationwide.
According to the report, women in provinces including Uruzgan, Paktia, Kandahar and Ghazni continue to face serious difficulties accessing healthcare and are frequently required to travel with a male guardian for routine activities.
UNAMA also raised concerns regarding former Afghan military personnel, saying cases of arrests, alleged torture and killings were documented during the reporting period.
Criticism of Taliban policies
The report further noted increasing pressure on media freedom, including censorship measures and the continued suspension of television channel “Rah-e-Farda” following criticism of Taliban policies.
It added that new legal measures have expanded restrictions on freedom of expression, with criticism of authorities increasingly treated as a punishable offence.
Human rights observers cited in the report warned that the ongoing policies are contributing to a climate of fear and silence across Afghan society and increasing the risk of a deeper humanitarian and political crisis.
The report concluded that space for civil liberties, independent media and basic rights continues to shrink under Afghanistan’s current governance system.
