Russia Voices Concern Over Worsening Pakistan–Taliban Tensions

The tribunal convened in October, where four prosecutors and more than 20 Afghan witnesses presented evidence on bans on education and employment, arbitrary detentions and the suppression of women’s protests.

The People’s Tribunal on Afghanistan’s Women was held over three days in Madrid, during which prosecutors and Afghan women and girls outlined allegations against the Taliban based on documented reports.

The accusations included gender-based crimes, denial of the right to education, exclusion from political and civic participation and the deprivation of women’s right to work. At the close of the three-day hearings, the judges said the voices of Afghan women had been heard and warned that the Taliban should not be normalised.

The tribunal’s final judgment is scheduled to be announced on Thursday in The Hague, the Netherlands, in the presence of Rashida Manjoo, Araceli García del Soto, Elisenda Calvet Martínez, Emilio Ramírez Matos, Ghizaal Haress, Kalpana Sharma, Mai El-Sadany and Marina Forti.

UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls Reem Alsalem and other experts from various fields are also expected to speak at the event.

Women and girls who testified before the tribunal say they hope the ruling will help increase global attention and pressure to hold the Taliban accountable.

The statement, released on Wednesday, 10 December, to mark International Human Rights Day, notes that Afghanistan is not unfamiliar with universal human-rights values and was among the first states to sign the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to the AFF, Afghanistan’s former government had joined seven of the nine core human-rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Convention Against Torture, the Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Convention on the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, thereby undertaking extensive commitments to support and strengthen human rights.

However, the AFF says Afghans now live under a regime that is neither the product of the people’s vote nor adherent to any human-rights standards.

The statement says that four years after the Taliban takeover, the group systematically and routinely violates the fundamental rights of the population, including the rights to political participation, freedom of expression and access to information, as well as the rights to work, education, movement, communication and justice.

The AFF describes the situation of Afghan women as “unprecedented in modern history,” saying women and girls have not only been denied education and employment but have also had their human dignity openly violated. According to the group, Afghanistan is now the only country where women have been effectively removed from public life.

The statement also criticises the international community and the United Nations, arguing that policies such as political engagement, lack of transparency in humanitarian aid and a focus on crisis management rather than crisis resolution have effectively strengthened and prolonged Taliban rule.

Another section highlights the plight of Afghan migrants and refugees abroad, condemning mass deportations, mistreatment and clear violations of international refugee conventions.

The armed anti-Taliban group presents eight recommendations to the international community, including continued non-recognition of the Taliban; launching an international political process to transition away from Taliban rule; conditioning humanitarian aid; halting deportations of Afghan refugees; supporting media, civil society and women; establishing an international mechanism to document and investigate Taliban crimes; appointing a UN special representative for the Afghan peace process; and recognising gender apartheid in Afghanistan.

Amanda McGregor, Australia’s special representative for Afghanistan, noted that Afghan political groups have united around fundamental principles.

According to her, these principles include national sovereignty, democratic governance and the guarantee of human rights for all Afghan citizens, especially women and girls.

Writing on X on Wednesday, McGregor said that it is encouraging to see Afghan political groups uniting around fundamental principles for their country’s future; principles achieved through Afghan-led dialogue, including national sovereignty, democratic governance and the realisation of human rights for all Afghans, including women and girls.

She emphasised the need for continued alliances that include active participation of women and women’s groups.

Her remarks came after, on Tuesday, the High National Resistance for Salvation of Afghanistan, the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, the National Assembly for the Salvation of Afghanistan and the National Movement for Peace and Justice of Afghanistan issued a joint statement during an online meeting titled “National Alignment of Afghan Political Parties and Movements.”

The statement stressed the priority of resolving Afghanistan’s crisis through dialogue and direct intra-Afghan negotiations. Coalition members called for lasting peace and the formation of a legitimate and inclusive system based on the will of the people.

The statement also underscored respect for human rights particularly the rights of women, ethnic groups and religious communities as well as transparent and effective management of humanitarian aid and measures to prevent its misuse.

According to Sputnik Tajikistan, Semrikov said Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan have agreed to provide the equipment. He added that the parties are currently determining the necessary financial resources and that contracts are expected to begin this year.

Semrikov noted that Tajikistan has carried out substantial work under CSTO programmes aimed at strengthening its border with Afghanistan. Tajikistan shares a more than 1,300-kilometre border with Afghanistan.

In 2024, the CSTO approved an intergovernmental programme to reinforce the Tajik–Afghan frontier. Designed as a five-year plan, it includes a series of measures to tighten border control, modernise infrastructure and equip Tajik border forces with modern security technology.

The first phase began in 2025, and significant progress has already been made in delivering weapons and military equipment.

Tajikistan previously confirmed that five people were killed in cross-border attacks originating from Afghanistan. Following the incidents, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon ordered the country’s security agencies to review measures to strengthen border security.

Earlier, local sources in Badakhshan told Afghanistan International that on Sunday evening, 30 November, two Chinese citizens were attacked near Shadak village, a border region in Tajikistan.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, 10 December, to mark International Human Rights Day, UNAMA said: “Women and girls continue to face severe restrictions on education, employment and participation in public life, undermining their fundamental rights and the country’s future. Access to health services is uneven, leaving families vulnerable and communities weakened.”

Referring to the large number of Afghans returning to the country “involuntarily,” UNAMA said certain groups particularly women, people with previous links to the former government and its security forces, as well as civil society and media activists face the risk of reprisals.

UNAMA said the Taliban must bring themselves closer to meeting their international human rights obligations. According to the mission, respect for rights strengthens trust and inclusivity, creating the foundation for a society in which everyone can contribute to improving conditions.

Georgette Gagnon, UNAMA’s acting head and Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said: “Human rights are not optional. They are the everyday essentials that sustain life.” She added that ensuring women and girls can learn, work and participate fully is essential in Afghanistan.

Gagnon urged the Taliban authorities to take the steps needed to align with global human rights obligations and to open space for Afghanistan and all its people to thrive.

For more than four years, the international community has repeatedly called on the Taliban to respect human rights and lift restrictions on women and girls. The group has not heeded those appeals.