Turkish, Pakistani Leaders Call For Inclusive Governance In Afghanistan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan has announced that the leaders of Türkiye and Pakistan have reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

According to the statement released on Friday, 14 February, both nations emphasised the importance of establishing an inclusive government that upholds human rights, particularly for women and girls, and prioritises the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan. The statement also underscored the need to continue providing humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.

During a two-day official visit to Islamabad, the Turkish President was warmly received by senior Pakistani officials. In discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that Islamabad expects the Afghan Taliban to collaborate in combating terrorism, rather than facilitating its proliferation. Sharif also voiced concerns regarding the activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, warning that the country should not become a safe haven for extremist elements.

The statement further revealed that Türkiye and Pakistan urged the Taliban leadership to take decisive measures against terrorism, specifically targeting groups such as ISIS and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), both of which are subject to United Nations Security Council sanctions.

Despite maintaining close ties with the Afghan Taliban—accepting their diplomats and engaging in political and economic relations—the Taliban government continues to impose significant restrictions on women’s rights, including access to employment, education, and other fundamental freedoms. International and Islamic bodies have previously called on the Taliban to lift these restrictions; however, the group has persisted in enforcing them.

HRW Commends Survivors’ Brave Testimonies On Sexual Violence In Taliban Prisons

Feb 13, 2025, 15:18 GMT

Human Rights Watch has praised the extraordinary bravery of Afghan women who have spoken out about sexual violence and abuse in Taliban prisons, as revealed in a recent investigative report by Afghanistan International.

Heather Barr, Associate Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch highlighted the courage of survivors who have come forward despite facing deep social stigma, stating "The fact that women are coming forward to talk about these violence anyway is an extraordinary testament to their courage."

She further stressed the urgent need for stronger mechanisms to document and preserve evidence of such crimes in Afghanistan to ensure accountability for survivors.

Afghanistan International recently published an investigative report exposing widespread sexual abuse and harassment of women detainees in Taliban prisons.

Reacting to the report, Barr noted that sexual violence remains underreported globally due to deep-rooted social stigma. However, in Afghanistan, she said, the issue is even more severe.

"In Afghanistan, that is particularly acute problem—not only do victims face enormous stigma, but the Taliban has also dismantled the services and parts of the justice system that might have provided assistance to these victims," she explained.

The abolition of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has left victims of sexual violence without any protective mechanisms or avenues for seeking justice.

Barr urged international and domestic institutions to take urgent action to support survivors, particularly in evidence collection and justice mechanisms.

At least ten women who were interviewed separately by Afghanistan International reported being subjected to sexual violence or harassment while in Taliban custody.

Among them eight women stated they were raped by Taliban officials, and two others reported that Taliban interrogators filmed and photographed their naked bodies during questioning.

Some victims revealed that their assaults were recorded on mobile phones by prison guards, while others reported that hidden surveillance cameras had been installed in their cells, monitored by the Taliban’s prison administration.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, confirmed that he is aware of the issue and is actively investigating it.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Zia Saraj, former head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS), acknowledged that during his tenure, security cameras were installed in detention centres such as Directorate 40, Directorate 90, and Kabul’s intelligence facilities.

He clarified that these cameras were installed at the request of the international community, with oversight from UNAMA, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the U.S. Embassy, to ensure detainees were not subjected to torture by Afghan intelligence personnel.

However, Saraj stated that international access to these surveillance systems has now been cut off, and it remains unclear whether the cameras are still operational under Taliban control.

He warned that the Taliban is using these tactics to psychologically break female detainees and silence them through fear and intimidation.

The revelations in Afghanistan International's report have intensified calls for urgent international intervention, as concerns grow over the systematic use of sexual violence in Taliban detention centres.

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