Search Results

Social Media As part of the ongoing crackdown on dissent in Afghanistan, Taliban forces arrested two women protesters, Tamana Zaryab Paryani and Parwana Ebrahimkhil, in Kabul on Wednesday night (January 19). The arrests took place just days after women staged demonstrations against killings, enforced disappearances, and the imposition of mandatory hijab. Sources confirmed to Zan TV that Taliban forces raided Tamana Paryani’s home and arrested her along with her sisters. In a video posted on social media before her arrest, Paryani can be heard shouting in fear, saying, “Help, please! The Taliban are at our house. My sisters are inside.” The video reveals the depth of fear and terror women in Afghanistan are facing; simply for standing up for their human rights. At the same time, sources reported that Parwana Ebrahimkhil was also arrested last night along with one of her relatives. Human rights activists describe these arrests as part of “a coordinated Taliban operation to intimidate and silence women.” The arrests followed Sunday’s protest in Kabul, where several women demonstrated against the disappearance of activists and the enforcement of the hijab. One of the protesters wore a white burqa stained with red paint to symbolize blood. Another woman threw the burqa to the ground, and other protesters stepped on it while chanting “No to compulsory hijab.” In response to Zan TV’s inquiries, the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior refused to comment. Meanwhile, Khalid Hamraz, a spokesperson for Taliban intelligence, wrote on Twitter: “Insults to national and religious values will not be tolerated,” referring to the women’s protest against the burqa. He also claimed that the protests were organized to seek asylum in the West. The Taliban’s police spokesperson dismissed Paryani’s video as “fabricated.” In reaction to these arbitrary arrests, Human Rights Watch stated that the Taliban are increasingly using “violent tactics” to suppress women’s protests. The international organization warned that since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have systematically violated the rights of women and girls; by denying them education, work, and personal freedom. Heather Barr, director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, said: “It may be hard to understand why the Taliban respond so violently to 25 women standing peacefully on a sidewalk, but their fear makes sense when you see how powerful and brave these women are, coming out again and again.” Meanwhile, several women protesters told Zan TV that they are now living in hiding. One protester, who asked not to be named, said: “The Taliban are knocking on our doors one by one. We decided to go into hiding. We don’t want to be taken away one after another.” These actions are part of a broader effort to silence civic space and erase women’s voices calling for justice. Since the Taliban’s return to power in August last year, the group has imposed sweeping restrictions on women’s lives. Many women have been removed from their jobs, girls above the sixth grade are banned from attending school. The reality on Afghanistan’s streets is one of fear, coercion, and repression.

Photo: NDS via Human rights watch Afghan President Ashraf Ghani announced that security forces have arrested 80 members of the terrorist group ISIS, preventing large-scale attacks in northern provinces, particularly in Kabul and Balkh. According to him, the country’s security and defense forces are on the front lines of the battle against terrorists every day and make sacrifices that must be recognized and appreciated. Earlier, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, reported on the continued activities of ISIS in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, saying that despite the weakening of its military capabilities, the group still maintains resistance in these two provinces. Reports estimate the number of ISIS fighters in Afghanistan to be between 1,000 and 2,200. The arrest of this number of ISIS members comes as the Nowruz festival approaches, with the city of Mazar-i-Sharif preparing to hold its annual flag-raising ceremony and the Gul-e-Surkh festival. Opposition to Nowruz is part of the strategy of extremist groups like ISIS, which seek to target Afghanistan’s ancient traditions and cultural values through threats and violence.

Kabul – Community councils and civil society organizations, in a meeting with Dr. Alema, Deputy Minister for Human Rights and Civil Society of the State Ministry for Peace Affairs, expressed their support for the peace negotiations and called for an immediate halt to violence and the establishment of a nationwide ceasefire. This meeting was held with the aim of hearing the views of civil institutions and the public regarding the peace talks with the Taliban in Doha. Participants emphasized that a ceasefire, preservation of the republic system, and respect for civil liberties must be non-negotiable principles in any peace agreement. Dr. Alema stated at the meeting that the people of Afghanistan are seeking a lasting, dignified, and just peace, a peace that does not sacrifice the achievements of recent years. She criticized the ambiguity in the Taliban’s statements and added: “The Taliban talk about an Islamic system, but they do not explain what they mean. Afghanistan is an Islamic country and our constitution is based on Islamic principles. So this claim is nothing but an excuse to bring back the Emirate.” A reporter from Zan TV, asking the question “What guarantee is there that the Taliban will adhere to democratic principles, freedom of speech, and women’s rights after an agreement?” demanded a clear response. In response, Dr. Alema said: “Women must have a strong voice in the peace process. We have emphasized the protection of freedom of expression and the fundamental rights of all citizens, especially women.” Mujtaba Marzban, Head of the Council of Community Councils and Civil Society Organizations, said in his remarks: “We are working to protect the people's values in the peace process. A peace that overlooks the rights of the people will not be sustainable.” Later, Zainuddin Alimyar, referring to Islam’s view on peace and reconciliation, asked the government to intensify its efforts in advancing the peace process and also called on the international community to support this process. He urged the Taliban to end the violence and to declare a nationwide ceasefire to pave the way for genuine peace. Dr. Yaqubullah, also supporting the government’s stance, emphasized that the Taliban must stop the violence to make peace possible. In the question-and-answer portion of the meeting, several journalists and civil activists demanded transparency in the peace negotiations and emphasized the necessity of women’s presence in the structure of the talks. Leila Jafari, Head of Political Organizations and Civil Society Institutions at the State Ministry for Peace Affairs, emphasized the role of the people and said: “It is the people who can work to protect their rights during the negotiations.”

Security meeting led by Kabul Police Command with participation of women, civil society activists and Journalists, held under the framework of the Security Pact, Kabul, Afghanistan. Kabul – The Kabul Police Command, in line with the implementation of the “Security Covenant,” held a meeting with the participation of women, civil society activists, and journalists. The program, held at the press office of the Kabul Police Command, was attended by Jumagul Hemat, Kabul Police Commander, the Head of Criminal Investigation, and a number of women and journalists. At the beginning, women and civil activists shared their views and proposals for effective cooperation with the police to ensure better security for citizens. Security meeting led by Kabul Police Command, Kabul, Afghanistan. Brigadier General Jumagul Hemat, in his remarks, emphasized the efforts of the Kabul Police to combat crime, fully implement the Security Covenant, and ensure the safety of citizens. He called on citizens to cooperate with the police in enforcing the law and preventing crimes, adding that security forces will make no concessions in protecting national values. Also, Arian Faizi, Head of Criminal Investigation of Kabul, described the role of women in supporting the Security Covenant and combating crime as valuable, and expressed appreciation for their presence and cooperation.

Image credit: AFP via Getty Images / The Independent While the world and the people of Afghanistan are following the peace talks between the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the Taliban with hope for a more peaceful future, the realities on the ground, experiences, and the contradictory behavior of this group are showing that the Taliban are still seeing peace not as a political solution but as a tactical tool to seize power and to reestablish their authoritarian Emirate. Analysis of current events, especially the group’s insistence on the release of thousands of prisoners before the start of negotiations and the simultaneous intensification of terrorist attacks across the country, is showing that the Taliban are not interested in national reconciliation. Instead, by repeating their war strategy, they are seeking to weaken and to overthrow the Republic. From the very beginning, the Taliban’s demand for the release of 5,000 prisoners raised serious doubts about their intentions in the peace process. Evidence showed that many of these released prisoners rejoined Taliban ranks. In documented cases, including in Laghman province, some of these individuals were killed or injured while attacking security outposts. These incidents are completely questioning the Taliban’s claim that these prisoners are cutting ties with war and are proving that this release is becoming a security advantage for the Taliban and a strategic mistake for the government. The Afghan Senate openly expressed concern over this process and warned about the return of released prisoners to the battlefield. The Taliban are not an independent political or military movement; rather, they are serving as a tool for foreign actors and regional sponsors. The Taliban are being trained in religious schools where a harsh, rigid, and extremist interpretation of religion is replacing human values, tolerance, justice, and peace. This group is never showing readiness or belief in engaging with civil society, freedom of expression, women’s rights, or democratic structures. In fact, the Taliban are considering war a “religious duty” and are viewing it as legitimate until eternal reward is received. As long as such an ideology is being strengthened with financial and military support from regional sponsors, no real commitment to peace can be expected from this group. The Taliban are considering the agreement with the United States a great victory and a “clear conquest.” From their perspective, talks with the Afghan government are not for reconciliation but are serving as a tool for the withdrawal of foreign forces and the weakening of the country’s security. With the potential withdrawal of these forces without a clear and sustainable plan, the Taliban are seeing themselves as the uncontested power on the battlefield. For this reason, they are not showing willingness to reduce violence but are in fact increasing attacks in order to put more pressure on the government and to strengthen their position in negotiations. Through this strategy, the Taliban are gaining political concessions while deceiving the international community by displaying a diplomatic face, while in reality they are continuing violence and terror. Based on their extremist religious ideology, the Taliban are rejecting any republican system, elections, human rights, gender equality, and freedom of expression. They are openly declaring that the Republic is a “Western construct” and are seeking to restore an Emirate where only the gun and the fatwa rule. In contrast to this regressive vision, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is defending a system where political participation of ethnic groups, media freedom, girls’ education, and legal structures are being institutionalized. For this reason, integrating the Taliban into the existing system is remaining only a dream, because the Taliban are not believing in democratic principles and are considering them “against Sharia.” The Taliban’s track record over the past twenty years is being filled with suicide bombings, beheadings, attacks on schools and hospitals, assassinations of women activists, journalists, and civilian employees. This dark record is depriving the Taliban of any national legitimacy. How can peace be made with a group that is not belonging to the people, is not believing in the people’s vote, and is opposing freedom, justice, ethnic diversity, and even the most basic human rights? If the peace process is moving forward without guarantees, international monitoring, and clear legal conditions to stop violence, peace is turning into a catastrophe; a catastrophe that is bringing the Taliban back to power and collapsing the Republic. While the Afghan government and the international community are trying to achieve a political agreement, concrete evidence is showing that the Taliban are not coming for peace, but are using the process to deceive, to strengthen militarily, and to prepare for the downfall of the Republic.