UNAMA: Women Do Not Report Taliban Forces’ Abuse Due to Fear of Threats and Retaliation

Image: © Ali Khara / Reuters

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says women do not report abuse by Taliban forces because of fear of threats and retaliation, as well as distrust in Taliban institutions.

UNAMA published a new report titled “Security Sector Accountability in Afghanistan” on Monday (10 August).

The mission says that since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, it has monitored the human rights situation, security, the rule of law, and the treatment of people by Taliban police, intelligence forces and prison authorities.

The report says that some public complaints about abuse by members of the group have remained unresolved and without follow-up.

UNAMA says fear of threats and retaliation, alongside distrust in complaint mechanisms under Taliban rule, has led many victims not to report what happened to them. For women, the situation has become more difficult because of the absence or shortage of female officers who can hear their complaints.

UNAMA has also documented cases in which Taliban military courts refused to accept complaints from people against members of the group’s forces. According to the report, Taliban military courts told some complainants not to return to court with allegations “against the mujahideen”.

UNAMA warned that such treatment contributes to the continuation of an environment of impunity.

The mission says the Taliban do not clarify what investigations have been carried out into many complaints, what conclusions were reached, or whether those responsible were actually held accountable. According to UNAMA, in many cases people do not know what happened to their complaints or what decisions were made.

The report also expressed concern about the situation of women when pursuing cases of violence. UNAMA says it is unclear whether Taliban investigation procedures include specific measures to protect female victims and witnesses, or whether their particular circumstances and needs are taken into account when cases of violence against women are handled.

UNAMA wrote that the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior and prison administration employ some female police officers and guards, but their exact number and duties remain unclear. It is also unclear whether these women are able to examine and investigate complaints from female victims or are employed only in routine duties. There is also no information available about the presence of female staff within Taliban intelligence.

According to the report, Afghanistan remains obliged to comply with its international human rights commitments, including protecting the rights to life, liberty and security of individuals, and preventing torture and cruel or degrading treatment.

UNAMA says that following the Taliban’s return, the constitution and a number of previous laws were abolished, and the group made Sharia the basis of its laws.

UNAMA also said it is not aware of any specific decree by the Taliban leader guaranteeing victims’ right to know the truth, receive remedies and obtain compensation for the harm they have suffered.

The mission called on the Taliban to establish safe, accessible and reliable complaint mechanisms so that women and men can report abuse by the group’s forces without fear of threats, retaliation or discrimination.

UNAMA also called for the protection of victims, witnesses and individuals who report human rights violations.