Taliban officials gathered at Afghanistan’s traditional Loya Jirga assembly on Saturday to commemorate five years since the movement’s return to power on August 15, 2021. The gathering included high-ranking government representatives, foreign attendees, and thousands of citizens. Taliban leaders characterized their governance as having brought stability and ended conflict following decades of upheaval in the country.
A United Nations official offered a contrasting assessment during the commemoration period. Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, issued a video message characterizing the country as undergoing a severe human rights crisis. Bennett stated that while armed conflict has ended, the human rights situation has deteriorated significantly, particularly for women and girls. Bennett’s office assessed that policies toward women constitute what the UN characterizes as crimes against humanity involving gender persecution.
The UN official detailed allegations extending beyond gender-related restrictions. Bennett cited documentation of arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings, corporal punishment, enforced disappearances, restrictions on freedom of expression, attacks on journalists and human rights defenders, persecution of ethnic and religious minorities, and discrimination against LGBT persons. He warned against international acceptance of Taliban policies, stating such normalization would legitimize discrimination.
Since taking power, the Taliban administration has implemented restrictions on female education and mobility. Girls have been denied education beyond the sixth grade, with higher education for women subsequently banned despite earlier pledges allowing educational access. Women face prohibitions on entry to certain public spaces and travel restrictions requiring male accompaniment. Taliban deputy minister Molvi Hayatullah Mahajar Farahi stated the administration has delivered security and infrastructure improvements but did not address education restrictions when questioned. UNESCO estimates approximately 2.4 million girls have been excluded from secondary education under current policies.
The Taliban government remains internationally isolated, with Russia being the sole nation to formally recognize it. Celebrations were held across Afghanistan’s provinces with displays of Taliban flags and promotional materials.
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