Sima Samar, the former chair of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission, has called on women and men to continue resisting the Taliban’s oppression, marking the fourth anniversary of the group’s return to power.
Speaking to Afghanistan International on Tuesday, Samar said 15 August 2021 was “the darkest day” for the people of Afghanistan and for herself personally. She praised the resilience of Afghan women, noting that despite severe restrictions and pressure, many continue to stand firm.
Samar expressed hope that women’s resistance will persist, emphasising that the struggle is not solely a women’s issue but one that affects the fate of 40 million people, particularly children.
She sharply criticised pro-Taliban lobbying, accusing such efforts of attempting to mislead the public into believing the group had changed. The past four years, she said, have proved otherwise, with the Taliban continuing policies such as closing both girls’ and boys’ schools in areas under their control, practices dating back two decades.
The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021 and have since imposed sweeping restrictions, particularly on women and girls, depriving them of basic rights including education, employment, and freedom of movement.
