Photo: UN Photo by Pierre Albouy Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, in his latest report scheduled to be reviewed next week at the UN Human Rights Council meeting, has once again called for the establishment of an independent and comprehensive mechanism to respond to human rights violations in Afghanistan, particularly regarding women and girls. In this report, he described the current human rights situation in Afghanistan as concerning and emphasized that the Taliban’s judicial system has turned into a tool for suppressing women and girls instead of providing protection. He stressed that this independent mechanism must be tasked with collecting, documenting, and preserving evidence related to human rights violations, including international crimes such as gender-based persecution, in order to enable the legal prosecution of perpetrators. According to Bennett, such a mechanism could support judicial processes at the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice, and other legal avenues and could help put an end to impunity in Afghanistan. It is worth noting that, according to reports, the European Union is expected to present a draft resolution on the situation in Afghanistan to the Human Rights Council in September. Human rights activists hope that the resolution will include a formal proposal for establishing an accountability mechanism.

Image: Hengaw Human Rights Organization The Independent Coalition of Afghanistan Women’s Protest Movements has strongly condemned the abduction and brutal murder of Kubra Rezai, a 26-year-old Afghan migrant woman in Tehran, calling it a painful manifestation of institutionalized violence and the helplessness faced by Afghan migrant women in Iran. In a statement issued by the coalition, it was noted that Kubra Rezai was one of thousands of Afghan women who, driven by poverty, homelessness, and systematic discrimination, migrated in the hope of building a better and more humane future, only to ultimately fall victim to the same structures of violence and injustice from which she had fled. The statement emphasized that this crime is not only a clear violation of the right to life and human dignity of a defenseless woman, but also symbolizes the critical situation of Afghan refugee women in systems devoid of legal, security, and humanitarian protections. The coalition further demanded an immediate, transparent, and impartial investigation into the case by the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It also condemned the silence of official Iranian institutions regarding the murder of Afghan refugees, describing it as a “structural form of complicity in violence.” The statement called on international human rights organizations, the United Nations, and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to take responsible action regarding this crime and to implement effective monitoring to prevent the recurrence of such atrocities. “Kubra Rezai is not just a name; she is the face of thousands of voiceless women who suffer in the margins and whose blood is spilled without accountability.” According to recent reports, the dismembered remains of Kubra Rezai, the young Afghan migrant who had been missing for about 50 days and was brutally murdered, were discovered in the home of an Iranian man in the city of Pakdasht. The news outlet "Ensaf News" quoted informed sources saying the suspect in this case is a 32-year-old man with the initials A.Kh., who worked as a guard at a home appliance factory in the Pakdasht area of Tehran and was married. According to this report, after Kubra’s family grew suspicious of this individual, police obtained a judicial warrant, entered his residence, and found the dismembered body of Kubra Rezai, which had apparently been treated with acid in an attempt to destroy the evidence. The report states that the suspect initially denied the charges during interrogation, but confessed to the murder after the police presented evidence. According to his statement, he became extremely emotionally disturbed after learning of Kubra’s engagement and committed the crime. It is worth noting that the human rights organization "Hengaw" had reported on June 10 the discovery of the mutilated body of a 26-year-old Afghan woman in Tehran, Iran.

Photo: Against the Compass / Photo of Kandahar city Local sources in Kandahar province report that a 25-year-old woman has been beheaded by her husband using a knife. The incident occurred on Tuesday (10 June) in the Yakhkariz area, part of District 15 in Kandahar city. According to sources, the victim was the mother of three children, including an infant. Her husband, named Fazil Mohammad, who is reportedly addicted to drugs, was arrested by Taliban police after committing the crime. Taliban police in Kandahar have also confirmed the incident, stating that Fazil Mohammad has been taken into custody on charges of murdering his wife. It is worth noting that since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, numerous cases have been reported of women being killed by family members. In many of these cases, domestic violence has been cited as the main cause.

Photo: Wakil KOHSAR / AFP The organization “HALO Trust” has announced that at least 6.4 million people in Afghanistan are at risk of landmine explosions and explosive remnants of war, with children being the most vulnerable and the majority of the victims. According to the latest report by this organization, which works in the field of mine clearance, Afghanistan is considered one of the most contaminated countries in the world with landmines and unexploded ordnance. HALO Trust states that on average, around 50 people are killed or injured each month due to these explosions, and nearly 80 percent of the victims are children. Farid Homayoun, one of the officials of the organization, expressed concern over the reduction of support resources and called on the international community to continue supporting mine clearance programs in Afghanistan. He warned that ignoring this crisis could turn it into a “forgotten humanitarian disaster.” This warning comes at a time when, following the suspension of financial aid from the United States, the budget for humanitarian programs in Afghanistan, including mine clearance efforts, has significantly decreased. The United Nations has repeatedly warned about funding shortages and their consequences and has called for more support from the international community. It is worth noting that remnants of past wars continue to pose one of the most serious threats to civilians, especially children, in Afghanistan. While many children in rural areas are more exposed to these risks due to curiosity or lack of awareness, delays in the mine clearance process could endanger the lives of thousands more children.

Sent to Zan TV The Lantern of Freedom Movement of Afghanistan Women has strongly condemned the brutal murder of Kubra Rezai, a 26-year-old Afghan migrant woman in Tehran, describing it as “a painful symbol of structural and systematic violence against migrant women.” In a protest gathering and a statement published on Tuesday (11 June), the movement said that the murder of Kubra Rezai reflects the bitter situation of women who fled the Taliban’s threats and deprivation only to face violence, discrimination, and injustice in neighboring countries. The statement said, “Kubra Rezai was one of the thousands of Afghan women who took refuge in Iran to escape the Taliban’s threats, poverty, and deprivation, but there too became a victim of the same violence and injustice she had fled from.” The Lantern of Freedom Movement further emphasized that the murder of Shaqayeq reflects the defenselessness of migrant women in Iran and the lack of legal, security, and humanitarian protections for them. In its statement, the movement called for an immediate, transparent, and impartial investigation into this case and emphasized that the perpetrators must be sentenced to the maximum legal punishment without any immunity. It also called on international institutions including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to pressure the Iranian government to guarantee the safety, dignity, and human rights of Afghan migrants, especially women. This comes after the human rights organization Hengaw had earlier reported the discovery of the mutilated body of a 26-year-old Afghan woman named Kubra Rezai, known as “Shaqayeq,” on 3 June in Tehran, the capital of Iran. According to the organization, Kubra had disappeared about 50 days earlier while on her way to work, and her body was found among garbage. Her identity was confirmed through DNA testing, but parts of her body, her phone, and documents are still missing. Hengaw also reported that Iranian security authorities had refrained from providing transparent information to the victim’s family and only gave a general update about the arrest of two suspects. According to the organization, on 7 June, Iranian security forces prevented the funeral ceremony for the victim. Meanwhile, the state-run IRNA news agency also confirmed the arrest of one suspect but refrained from disclosing any details about the identity of the victim. The motive for the murder is still unknown.

Social Media In a move to strengthen and expand support for Afghan children and women, the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs of Iran and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have signed a memorandum of cooperation. According to Iranian media reports, this memorandum was signed on Tuesday (10 June) between Nader YarAhmadi, the head of the Bureau for Aliens and Foreign Immigrants Affairs of Iran, and Monika Oledzka-Nielsen, UNICEF's acting representative in Iran. The aim of this initiative is to improve the living conditions and provide better opportunities for vulnerable Afghan women and children. Nader YarAhmadi, expressing concern over the difficult situation of Afghan refugees, especially children, stated that supporting this group requires special attention and practical measures. He emphasized, "I hope both sides will work with a special focus on addressing the issues related to children and women." He added, "In my direct meetings with refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons, the condition of the children has greatly concerned me. We are trying to use our national capacities to manage this issue, although we may not be able to cover everyone." YarAhmadi, referring to the large number of Afghan families, highlighted the need for special support for mothers and stated that they have endured many hardships in raising their children. Meanwhile, the acting representative of UNICEF in Iran also thanked the Iranian government for its cooperation and described the signing of this memorandum as an effective step in strengthening humanitarian efforts and inclusive support programs for migrants. This comes as in recent years, especially after the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, thousands of Afghan citizens have sought refuge in Iran due to security threats and difficult economic conditions. However, Afghan migrants in Iran have consistently complained of discriminatory treatment and harsh living conditions.

Photo: wikipedia In one of the recent shocking incidents, a young woman in Spin Ghar district of Nangarhar province was hanged by her husband on the second night of Eid al-Adha. This woman, who had recently been released from a Taliban prison, faced domestic violence and ultimately death after returning to her home and family. According to confirmed information from local sources, the woman was arrested and imprisoned by the Taliban a year ago on charges of “illicit relations.” After completing her sentence, she returned home, but her husband, the father of her three children, ended her life with a noose on the second night of Eid al-Adha. It is worth noting that since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, they have imposed strict laws on women, which have led to an increase in domestic violence. These laws, especially in rural areas, are often enforced by male family members in an extreme manner. Just a few weeks ago, in Batikot district of Nangarhar, a man brutally murdered his wife. Despite the growing number of similar incidents, the lack of legal prosecution and the weakness of judicial institutions have intensified the cycle of violence against women. Women’s rights activists warn that the repressive environment, the absence of protective laws, and structural discrimination place women at risk of threats, humiliation, and murder even after being released from prison. They stress that such incidents are only a small part of the violence that is daily imposed on Afghan women in complete silence and helplessness.

Sent to Zan TV The Afghanistan Women’s Movement in Exile, in a statement, has strongly condemned the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan, the uncertainty of thousands of Afghan asylum seekers in U.S. resettlement programs, and the silence of the international community, calling it a “clear disregard for the fundamental principles of human rights.” In the statement issued by the movement, it is said that the announcement of “inhumane” deadlines and the humiliating treatment of migrants, especially women, children, the elderly, and the sick, reflects a lack of respect for human dignity and a violation of international commitments. The Afghanistan Women’s Movement in Exile has warned that thousands of Afghan men and women who, in recent years, were under U.S. and allied resettlement programs, are now facing the threat of forced return at a time when no security, freedom, or future remains for them in Afghanistan. The statement stressed: “Afghanistan under Taliban rule is not our homeland, but a prison full of horror, repression, and discrimination. Sending us back there is a silent death sentence.” The Afghanistan Women’s Movement in Exile has called on the United Nations, governments, and human rights institutions to take immediate measures to prevent a large-scale humanitarian catastrophe and to not remain silent in the face of deportation policies and neglect of Afghan asylum seekers.

Image: Ryan Brown/Photo of Khalida Popal and the book cover "My Beautiful Sisters" Khalida Popal, the Enduring Voice of Afghan Women in the World of Books On a glorious night in London, where the voices of sports and literature intertwined, Khalida Popal, former player of the Afghanistan national women's football team, achieved a great honor for Afghan women and the global community. With her influential book titled My Beautiful Sisters, she won the award for Best Sports Book of the Year 2025. This work also received the "Vikki Orvice" award for women's sports writing; an honor not only for the author, but for all the women who have fought in silence. The book My Beautiful Sisters is more than a personal narrative; it is a testament of resistance, faith, and the victory of the Afghan woman against discrimination, violence, and imposed silence. Khalida Popal, who was once the captain of the Afghanistan national women's football team, is now a global voice in defense of women's rights; and this book is the story of her journey from the grassy field to the world stage, where hope rises alongside honesty. Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has said about this book: “An inspiring and very important work; a voice for the women who were not heard.” At the official ceremony for the introduction of the best sports books of the year, held in London, Khalida stood among the prominent global figures of sports and media and brought pride. Alongside her, notable names such as Sir Chris Hoy with his autobiography All That Matters and Johnny Sexton with the book Obsession were also honored. But what made Khalida stand out was not only the power of her writing, but the depth of an experience that had risen from displacement, censorship, and resistance. In her speech at the ceremony, Khalida said: “This award does not belong only to me. This is dedicated to all Afghan girls who, despite the silence, never gave up hope.” The book My Beautiful Sisters is not only a record of a life full of ups and downs, but also a mirror of thousands of Afghan girls who are still fighting in the dark. This work shows that even on the days when everything collapses, the voice of a woman can change history. At this ceremony, Rudi Bloomfield, a veteran in publishing sports books, was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The program, supported by the brand “Charles Tyrwhitt” and attended by guests such as Danny Care, Steph Houghton, Guillem Balague, and other prominent figures, was a stage for honoring the voices of women who carved their path through the masses of stone and silence. Khalida Popal is now not only a team captain on the field, but a hero in the global arena of the fight for justice and honesty, and her book is a flag raised on a peak that has been climbed with tears, blood, and hope.

Photo: Reuters The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says that nearly 450 people lost their lives in last year’s floods in Afghanistan, including 10 children. According to a report published by the organization on Monday (2 June), more than 70,000 houses were destroyed or damaged as a result of the floods. UNICEF stated that in collaboration with the European Union, the reconstruction of 336 school buildings in the affected areas has begun. According to the organization, once this project is completed, more than 300,000 children will regain access to education. The report also states that more than 5,000 teachers will be trained as part of this program. This comes as a number of schools in various provinces, especially in Baghlan, were completely destroyed in last year’s floods.