Taliban Flog Two In Badakhshan For Alleged Moral Offences

The UN women report released today, described as the most comprehensive assessment of women’s empowerment and gender equality in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power, states that Afghan women have fallen significantly behind global human development standards.

Afghanistan faces a 76 percent gender inequality rate in key areas such as health, education, financial access, and participation in decision-making, placing it just above Yemen on the Global Gender Inequality Index.

The report finds that Afghan women are realising only 17 percent of their full potential in terms of access to opportunities and personal choice, compared to the global average of 60.7 percent.

“Afghanistan’s greatest resource is its women and girls. Their potential continues to be untapped, yet they persevere,” said Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women. “Afghan women are supporting each other, running businesses, delivering humanitarian aid and speaking out against injustice.”

According to the index, 78 percent of young Afghan women are not in education, employment or training, while the secondary school completion rate for girls is expected to fall to zero due to ongoing bans on girls’ secondary and tertiary education, including medical training.

The report also highlights a deep gender disparity in the workforce. Only 24 percent of Afghan women participate in the job market, compared to 89 percent of men. The majority of women are engaged in unpaid domestic labour; 74 percent, versus only 3 percent of men.

Additionally, men are nearly three times more likely than women to have a bank account or use mobile money services.

Despite widespread restrictions, the report notes a significant rise in the number of unemployed Afghan women actively seeking work. By 2022, this figure had quadrupled compared to pre-Taliban levels.

UN Women also reported that there are currently no women in the Taliban’s cabinet or local administrative offices, underscoring the continued political exclusion of Afghan women.

Speaking during the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Türk highlighted growing concerns over the repression of Afghan women and girls, stating that their voices have been silenced and their presence restricted to within the home.

“The rights of women and girls in Afghanistan have been systematically erased from public life,” he said. “They are excluded from education, employment, and civic participation.”

Türk also warned of serious threats facing other vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities and LGBTQ+ individuals. “Influential figures have openly mocked people with disabilities,” he noted. “LGBTIQ+ people continue to face legal restrictions, hate speech, and even violence.”

He further expressed concern that some countries have reduced funding for aid programmes in Afghanistan, despite worsening conditions on the ground.

Akbar Arabi, police commander of Pishva County in Tehran Province, confirmed the arrest on Friday, 13 June. He stated that the suspect confessed to the killing during specialised interrogations and has since been transferred to prison following initial legal procedures.

“Through intelligence and operational efforts by the criminal investigation police, the suspect was identified and immediately arrested,” Arabi told domestic media. The identity of the accused has not yet been made public.

Rezai was reportedly abducted while on her way to work in Tehran. On the evening of 3 June, local residents found parts of her dismembered body among rubbish in Varamin. Following the gruesome discovery, a case was opened by the criminal investigation unit in Pishva County.

Calls for Justice Grow

Rezai’s murder has sparked outrage among human rights organisations and Afghan migrant communities, who say the killing underscores the systemic violence faced by migrant women in Iran.

Activist groups have urged Iranian authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation. The Afghanistan Women’s Light of Freedom Movement issued a statement demanding legal accountability and transparency in the judicial process. The group also called on international organisations to pressure Tehran to protect the rights and dignity of migrants.

The Taliban’s embassy in Tehran also responded, describing the murder as an “unforgivable crime” and stating that the perpetrator must be brought to justice, “regardless of nationality or affiliation.”

Local sources told Afghanistan International that the arrests took place in the provincial capital of Daikundi and in the Ashtarlay district.

According to the sources, while some detainees were released after a few hours, around 50 people remain in Taliban custody.

Unlike many Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, the Taliban observed Eid al-Adha a day later, on Saturday. In some areas of Afghanistan, including Daikundi province, residents marked the holiday on Friday, prompting a harsh response from Taliban authorities.

In neighbouring Iran, Friday was also recognised as the first day of Eid al-Adha.

Sources told Afghanistan International on Sunday that a number of clerics and local residents who had performed Eid prayers and animal sacrifices on Friday were arrested in central Daikundi and the Ashtarlay district. Although some have since been released, approximately 50 remain detained.

Historically, Eid al-Adha in Afghanistan was celebrated in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s official calendar. In recent years, however, the Taliban have adopted different dates for Eid observance, a move that has caused growing tension among segments of the population.

According to the organisation, the Afghan prisoners had been arrested more than a decade ago on charges of “premeditated murder” and “rape.”

In a statement released Sunday, 8 June, the group identified the executed Afghan inmates as Ahmadullah Ismaeili, 31, and Shukrullah.

Quoting its sources, the organisation said: “Ahmadullah Ismaeili, originally from Faryab province in Afghanistan, had been arrested 10 years ago on murder charges and sentenced to death.” His execution was reportedly carried out on Wednesday, 4 June.

The statement also cited Javan newspaper, reporting that Shukrullah was executed on the morning of Sunday, 1 June. According to the report, he had been arrested in 2013 on charges of “premeditated murder and rape” and later sentenced to death.

Iran Human Rights noted: “The lack of classification for premeditated murder in Iran leads to the issuance of death sentences regardless of the severity, context or motivation behind the act.”

These executions come as more than 80 human rights organisations recently issued a joint appeal condemning the rising number of executions of Afghan nationals in Iran and calling for an immediate halt to the practice.

According to the appeal, the number of executions of Afghan citizens in Iran has surged since the Taliban’s return to power, rising from 16 in 2022 to 80 in 2024.