Taliban mark 5 years in power amid UN warning of rights crisis

Taliban rulers and officials gathered at Afghanistan's Loya Jirga assembly hall to celebrate the fifth anniversary of their return to power, proclaiming the restoration of stability and an end to decades of conflict. The celebration, however, was juxtaposed with a stark warning from a top United Nations official about a grave human rights crisis unfolding in the country, particularly concerning the education of girls.

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We pray to Almighty God to forever protect our homeland from occupation, aggression, wars, and insecurity, and to enable our people to enjoy peace, tranquility, and prosperity under the auspices of the Sharia-based government.

Since seizing power on August 15, 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops, the Taliban administration has implemented severe restrictions. Girls are banned from education beyond the sixth grade, and women are prohibited from higher education, despite earlier pledges. Women also face bans from public spaces like gyms and parks, participation in sports, and travel to distant locations without a male guardian.

During the ceremony, Taliban officials lauded their rule as a "liberation" from foreign forces. Deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat prayed for the nation's protection from occupation and insecurity, wishing for peace under the Sharia-based government. Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi highlighted the end of external interventions and internal strife, stating that the Taliban's rule eliminated daily tragedies of casualties, widowhood, and orphanhood.

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At least 300 Afghan youth were martyred or killed every day. Three hundred sisters would become widows, several children would become orphans and 300 mothers would be grieving. Praise be to God, with the rule of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, this tragedy was removed from the Afghan nation.

Notably, no women were present at the celebration. The Taliban government continues to face international isolation, with Russia being the sole country to formally recognize its administration. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi urged other nations to reconsider their non-engagement policies and move towards dialogue and mutual interaction, suggesting that countries engaging with the administration have benefited.

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They should move towards a policy of engagement and mutual interaction.