Former Taliban detainee Nadia Sadat told Afghanistan International that she was stripped naked and subjected to abuse in prison. She claimed that Taliban officials took photos and videos of her during interrogations.
Sadat was detained for protesting in Mazar-i-Sharif and for speaking to the media about the closure of schools and universities for women and girls. She said that during her detention, Taliban officers sexually abused her and touched parts of her body without consent.
Sadat criticised the conditions in Taliban prisons, saying, “The Taliban are devoid of humanity.” She added that detainees are tortured, and female prisoners are particularly vulnerable. After two weeks in detention, she was released on bail after a large sum was paid. However, her health has since deteriorated and she struggles to sleep. Sadat also disclosed that a senior Taliban official in Balkh had proposed to her.
At least ten women confirmed to Afghanistan International that they were sexually assaulted during their detention. Eight women reported being raped, while two said that Taliban officials filmed and photographed their naked bodies during interrogations. Some witnesses claimed that the Taliban used mobile phones or installed cameras in women’s cells to record the abuse.
Richard Bent, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, confirmed that he is aware of these allegations and that investigations are ongoing.
