Taliban Internet Shutdown Violates Afghans’ Basic Rights, Says HRW

The group said that the move has closed “the last windows of communication with the outside world” and caused millions of dollars in economic damage.

In a statement, the anti-Taliban armed group said internal rifts, growing public discontent and pressure from the United States had left the Taliban unsettled. It described the internet blackout as a desperate attempt by the group to preserve its rule.

Two days into the shutdown, private and public services remain paralysed. Banking, aviation and other essential sectors have been disrupted, while the Taliban has offered no explanation and taken no responsibility for the crisis.

Reports suggest divisions within the Taliban leadership over the decision. Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US envoy to Afghanistan and a politician seen as close to the group, wrote on X that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada’s order had even shocked his own ministers.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front called the internet cutoff a “foolish strategy” designed to block Afghan voices from reaching the outside world.

The accounts, which promoted the Taliban and attacked opponents under the names of politicians, journalists, artists and dozens of pseudonyms, have not posted for the past 24 hours. Social media messaging has been a central tool in the group’s propaganda strategy.

Taliban officials, including Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, had reportedly hired dozens of people to run these campaigns.

The Taliban last week ordered a complete suspension of fibre-optic internet and mobile networks, a move that drew widespread international criticism. The blackout has also stripped platforms such as X and Facebook of Taliban-aligned propaganda.

Sources previously told Afghanistan International that the Taliban’s defence and interior ministers, as well as its intelligence chief, maintained multiple social media groups staffed by dozens of paid propagandists.

The latest came Monday, when the group abruptly cut off internet and telecommunications services across the country without explanation.

In addition to sweeping curbs on women’s education, employment, and political and economic participation, the Taliban has recently introduced measures affecting the wider population.

Internet and Mobile Services

On 16 September, the Taliban restricted internet access in northern and southern provinces, citing “immoral activities.” Initially imposed in Kandahar, Herat, Khost, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Takhar and Balkh, the ban was later expanded nationwide. On 29 September, all internet and telecom services were suspended across Afghanistan.

Books Authored by Women

In September, the Taliban barred the teaching of books written by female authors in universities.

Lessons on Women, Rights and Freedom

The Taliban’s Ministry of Education removed 51 lessons from school textbooks on topics such as freedom, women’s rights, human rights, the national flag, mothers and peace. Officials said the subjects were “inconsistent with Islamic instructions and the group’s policies.”

Chess

In late May, the Taliban declared chess “haram” and prohibited the game nationwide. The International Chess Federation condemned the decision, saying it would block the game’s growth in Afghanistan and deny players international opportunities.

Female Aid Workers

Although women have been banned from most forms of employment since 2022, the Taliban enforced the restriction more strictly after a deadly earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, preventing female aid workers from participating in relief efforts. The group has also prohibited Afghan women from working with international organisations and NGOs.

The UN agency warned that the shutdown has cut the country off from the world and threatens to deepen an already dire humanitarian crisis.

In a statement, UNAMA said the blackout risks causing serious harm to the Afghan people, destabilising the economy, and worsening one of the world’s most severe humanitarian emergencies.

The mission warned of wide-ranging consequences, including disruption to banking and financial systems, restrictions on women’s and girls’ access to health care and education, difficulties in sending remittances, damage to the aviation sector, and limited access to emergency services. It also said the move has severely curtailed freedom of expression and access to information.

UNAMA noted that the shutdown comes as Afghanistan faces major earthquakes in the east, with women and girls making up more than half of the casualties, and amid the mass forced return of refugees from neighbouring countries. Cutting off communications in such circumstances, it said, endangers lives.

The mission added that it remains in contact with Taliban officials, under its UN Security Council mandate, to support the people of Afghanistan.

The sources, connected via Starlink satellite internet, said Akhundzada remains opposed to restoring internet access, despite the mounting impact of the shutdown.

Haqqani, described as deeply unhappy with the decision, reportedly voiced his objections during the meeting, warning of the severe consequences of cutting off internet and telecommunications nationwide.

He had travelled to Kandahar on Friday in an attempt to persuade Akhundzada to reconsider the controversial move.

The Taliban’s suspension of fibre-optic internet and telecom services since Monday evening has paralysed daily life and essential services across Afghanistan, prompting widespread criticism at home and abroad.