In Kabul, Afghanistan, Taliban rulers and officials hosted a significant gathering to mark five years since their return to power. Held at the traditional Loya Jirga assembly hall, the event highlighted what they described as renewed stability and the cessation of prolonged conflict. Despite these claims, a senior United Nations representative highlighted severe human rights violations in Afghanistan, chiefly the exclusion of girls over the age of 12 from education.
The Taliban regained control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, coinciding with the withdrawal of US and NATO troops after a costly two-decade conflict. The exit led to chaos at Kabul airport as many sought to escape. Following their takeover, the Taliban banned girls’ education beyond the sixth grade, as well as higher education for women, contradicting earlier promises of access to education, jobs, and public life for females.
The Taliban administration has further restricted women from public spaces, including gyms and parks, barred them from participating in sports, and limited their travel without a male guardian. During the Loya Jirga, high-level Taliban officials, alongside foreign dignitaries and numerous citizens, celebrated Afghanistan’s perceived ‘liberation’ from American forces. “We pray to Almighty God to forever protect our homeland from occupation, aggression, wars, and insecurity,” said the Taliban government’s deputy spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, reflecting sentiments shared during the event.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy prime minister for administrative affairs, stated that Taliban rule has ended foreign interference and internal conflicts in Afghanistan, claiming improved security. He noted that “at least 300 Afghan youth” faced death daily in past years, leading to widespread grief. “Praise be to God,” he added, describing the decrease in such tragedies under the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
The ceremony notably lacked female attendees. Five years on, the Taliban’s regime remains in diplomatic isolation, with Russia as the sole state to recognize its legitimacy formally. The Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, urged increased international engagement, suggesting benefits for those already cooperating with the regime. “They should move towards a policy of engagement and mutual interaction,” he proposed.
Kabul saw lively celebrations, with displays of Taliban flags, chants in favor of the government, and traffic congestion caused by vehicle processions. Security was notably heightened around the venues. Further celebrations took place across Afghanistan, featuring Taliban symbols prominently.
Despite festive commemorations, Richard Bennett of the UN expressed grave concerns regarding Afghanistan’s human rights. Through a video message, he portrayed the nation as deeply embroiled in a human rights disaster. “While the era of war has ended, it’s questionable whether there’s real peace,” Bennett observed, noting increased hardships for women and girls. “My mandate has concluded that this system amounts to the crime against humanity of gender persecution.” He warned against legitimizing Taliban measures, cautioning it might trivialize ongoing suffering.
Molvi Hayatullah Mahajar Farahi, the Taliban’s deputy minister for broadcasting, highlighted security and infrastructure developments over five years but sidestepped discussing girls’ education hurdles. UNESCO data suggests 2.4 million girls miss out on secondary education. Concurrently, the UN World Food Program alerts that child malnutrition is critically high in several Afghan provinces and worsening due to funding deficits. According to UN Women, Afghan women and girls endure severe restrictions, posing threats to socioeconomic stability due to the scarcity of educators and healthcare professionals.