Over 1,000 Afghan Refugees Deported From Pakistan, Says Taliban

The US State Department said that any significant step towards normalising relations with the Taliban is contingent upon a profound change in the group's behaviour.

A State Department spokesperson made these remarks in response to a question from Aref Yaqubi, a reporter of Afghanistan International, regarding what practical steps the US is taking in response to the Taliban's treatment of imprisoned women and serious human rights violations.

The department, in its annual report on the status of women in Afghanistan released on Monday, noted that the Taliban's decrees have effectively marginalised women from the public sphere.

The report underscores widespread violations of women's rights and instances of sexual violence perpetrated against them. It reveals that 16 out of 90 imprisoned women in Jowzjan, Farah, and Samangan provinces have reported pregnancies resulting from rape by Taliban members. Additionally, the report indicates that the Taliban has executed at least four women in Samangan after repeated instances of rape.

Regarding potential action in response to this report, the US State Department did not provide specifics. However, it reaffirmed the US government's commitment to supporting the rights of Afghan women and girls. It aims to enhance economic opportunities for Afghan women through increased access to opportunities both within Afghanistan and in third countries.

The department emphasised on the US government's support for Afghan women's participation in the country's economy as a means to promote gender equality and foster economic growth.

Furthermore, the department highlighted its efforts to assist Afghan women and girls through various means, including facilitating access to higher education opportunities via scholarships and financial aid. It also mentioned providing skills training for continued education, both domestically and internationally, to empower Afghan women and girls.

Sanctions on Taliban Officials

The State Department also mentioned that, in response to the Taliban's restrictions on women, it took action in February 2023 by imposing visa restrictions on certain current and former Taliban officials, as well as individuals involved in suppressing Afghan women and girls' access to education and employment opportunities within non-governmental organisations.

Furthermore, on December 8 2023, the US Treasury Department sanctioned two Taliban members due to their involvement in severe human rights violations, notably the obstruction of girls' access to secondary education.

Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban's Minister of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, was among those sanctioned for his participation in human rights abuses, including murder, abduction, flogging, and physical assault against Afghan citizens, including women and girls.

Additionally, the department stated that Farid-ud-Din Mahmood, the head of the TAliban’s Academy of Sciences, faced sanctions for his role in serious human rights violations associated with the publication, and enforcement of measures aimed at restricting education for all Afghan women and girls based solely on their gender.

Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, has also asked for the group's consistent participation in the Moscow Format.

This format, a Russian diplomatic initiative, facilitates discussions between regional countries and the Taliban regarding security and stability in Afghanistan.

Despite repeated requests from the Taliban, the United Nations Credentials Committee postponed, for the third time last year, a decision on granting Afghanistan's seat to the Taliban, and Naseer Ahmad Faiq, the former government's representative at the United Nations, continues to hold this position.

The Arg (Presidential Palace), under Taliban control, reported on Tuesday quoting Zamir Kabulov as saying, that Russia’s positive relations with the Taliban will continue and expand.

Following the Taliban's takeover, Russia is among the first countries to expand its diplomatic relations with the Taliban. Despite widespread global criticism of the Taliban's rule in Afghanistan, Russia has openly defended the Taliban.

Kabulov praised the Taliban for their efforts in combating ISIS and drug trafficking, while also noting Russian investors' interests in Afghanistan.

Abdul Kabir also expressed appreciation for Russia's stance toward the Taliban and appealed for Russian aid in Afghanistan's political, cultural, and infrastructural reconstruction efforts.

This Taliban official said that with joint efforts from Kabul and Moscow, regional threats can be addressed.

Although he did not specify the regional threats, recently the ISIS in Afghanistan, has raised global concerns by carrying out deadly attacks in Iran and Russia.

This marks the first time that AGT has reported the killing of a Taliban member.

They posted on their Facebook page that Amr Gul, resident of Alishing district of Laghman province, was killed in the province capital around 11 am on Sunday.

AGT did not specify the group affiliation of the individuals responsible for killing this local Taliban official. However, they emphasised that "the Taliban's oppressions in the region have prompted people to take action”.

Their statement noted that the Taliban apprehended two individuals in connection with this incident.

AGT has previously disseminated vital information regarding the identities of numerous Taliban officials and members of the Taliban's intelligence agency and Ministry of Interior.

This marks the first report by AGT's intelligence unit of the killing of a Taliban member. AGT is yet to disclose any details about its military operations.

The ministry reported that 2,651 migrants were repatriated from Iran on Monday, and 778 others were repatriated from Pakistan on Tuesday.

In separate press releases on Tuesday, this Taliban ministry stated that migrants were repatriated through the Torkham, Spin Boldak, and Islam Qala border crossings.

According to the ministry's statement, five children without guardians were also deported from Iran, and 18 of the deportees from Pakistan were individuals who had been released from prison.

During the execution ceremony, Abdul Rauf Saadat, the chief justice of the Taliban's city court in Kapisa said, "We uphold divine decrees without fear and hesitation."

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Supreme Court of the Taliban reported that these two suspects received their punishment on Monday.

As per the statement, the city court in Kapisa imposed a three-year imprisonment on one individual and a one-year and six-month imprisonment on the other.

The court refrained from providing further details about the defendants.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court of the Taliban also sentenced another individual in Zabul to 39 lashes for extramarital relations.

Despite repeated calls from the global community and human rights defenders to cease physical punishments, the Taliban insists on continuing public and physical penalties for accused individuals in accordance with "Islamic Sharia”.