The United Nations’ top human rights official has condemned Afghanistan as a graveyard for human rights, highlighting an oppressive system of “gender apartheid” and a new decree from the de facto authorities that expands the death penalty and criminalises criticism of the leadership.
In a stark address to the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Volker Trk described the cascade of edicts issued since 2021 as having a “crushing impact” on the Afghan people, particularly women and girls, who face persecution through extreme, gender-based discrimination, according to a report by Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights today.
Mr Trk detailed a new decree signed last month by the Taliban leader, which he urged the authorities to rescind. The directive, expected to take effect soon, widens the scope of offences punishable by death and provides for the use of corporal punishment for numerous offences, including within the home, effectively legitimising domestic violence.
The decree also outlaws criticism of the country”s rulers and their policies, a move that directly contravenes international obligations on freedom of expression and assembly.
The High Commissioner stated that the de facto authorities have, in effect, criminalised the presence of women in public life. They are systematically excluded from secondary and higher education and barred from most forms of employment, severely affecting their access to healthcare, civic space, and freedom of movement.
“The system of segregation is reminiscent of apartheid, based on gender rather than race,” Mr Trk said.
Recent months have seen a crackdown under the Law on the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, enforcing rules on men”s beards, the strict wearing of the women”s hijab, and the requirement for a male guardian. The laws also prohibit music and images of living beings while enforcing mandatory prayers.
In an “unprecedented and deeply disturbing” development, Mr Trk reported that since 7 September 2025, Afghan women, including United Nations staff and contractors, have been prevented from entering UN premises across the country.
The human rights situation is further worsened by ongoing public executions, severe media censorship, and a nationwide 48-hour communications blackout in late September 2025 that disrupted essential services, including healthcare and banking.
Beyond the legal and social oppression, millions of Afghans are trapped in “utter poverty,” compounded by two earthquakes in late 2025 and damaging cuts to humanitarian funding. The World Food Programme now warns it is turning away three out of four acutely malnourished children due to these shortfalls.
The High Commissioner also voiced alarm over the forced return of Afghan refugees from neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan and Iran. He noted that former government officials and security force members who returned have been subjected to killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture. He urged all countries to halt involuntary returns without an individualised assessment to ensure the principle of non-refoulement is respected.
Addressing regional security, Mr Trk expressed grave concern over a “sharp increase” in civilian casualties from cross-border clashes with Pakistani military forces, which resulted in 70 civilian deaths in the last quarter of 2025 and a further 13 killed in recent airstrikes.
The High Commissioner concluded with five key demands for the de facto authorities: reverse the exclusion of women and girls; establish a moratorium on executions and end corporal punishment; cease arbitrary arrests; ensure unhindered humanitarian access; and restore freedom of expression and the media.