UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk Remarks to Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan

These edicts are being codified into an ever wider de facto legal framework.

“A new decree, signed by the Taliban leader last month, defines several crimes and punishments that contravene Afghanistan’s international legal obligations,” he said.

“The decree, which is expected to come into effect soon, extends the number of offences that carry the death penalty. It provides for the use of corporal punishment for numerous offences, including in the home, legitimizing violence against women and children. And it criminalizes criticism of the de facto leadership and their policies, in violation of freedom of expression and assembly.”

The High Commissioner urged the de facto authorities to rescind the decree and to bring all legal measures into line with their international obligations.

Afghanistan’s women and girls face extreme gender-based discrimination and oppression that amounts to persecution. The system of segregation is reminiscent of apartheid, based on gender rather than race.

“The de facto authorities have, in effect, criminalized the presence of women and girls in public life. They are banned from secondary education and above, and from most employment. Discrimination affects their healthcare, their access to civic space, and their freedom of movement and expression,” Türk said.

“In recent months, the de facto authorities have used the Law on the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice to crack down on men’s beards; compel strict wearing of women’s hijab; implement the requirement for women to be accompanied by a male guardian; prohibit music and images of living beings; and enforce mandatory prayers,” he said.

Since 7 September 2025, the de facto authorities have prevented Afghan women, including UN staff, contractors and visitors, from entering the United Nations’ own premises across the country. These restrictions are unprecedented, and shocking.

Public executions continued in Afghanistan, in violation of international law.

The Afghan media operate under censorship and financial strain. They are forbidden from broadcasting music and drama, or publishing any content the de facto authorities deem contrary to Afghan culture and their own interpretation of sharia law. Women journalists face almost impossible obstacles to carrying out their important work.

Millions of Afghans live in utter poverty, deprived of their right to adequate food, clean water, and access to education, healthcare and employment.

“Significant numbers of refugees continue to return to Afghanistan, most of them forced back by neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The vast majority arrive with few belongings, little access to healthcare and education, and no job prospects,” the High Commissioner said.

He said he was disturbed by reports that several more countries are taking steps to return Afghan refugees involuntarily.

The international community needs to find ways to encourage the de facto authorities to meet Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations. Accountability is essential, and there has been some progress, with the issuance in July 2025 of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court. The High Commissioner urged other States to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute violations of international law committed by their forces during decades of conflict in Afghanistan.

“I fully support efforts to codify gender apartheid, among other crimes, in the proposed Treaty for the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. Defining gender apartheid is essential to ending it,” he said.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact

In Geneva:

Ravina Shamdasani: +41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org

Jeremy Laurence: +41 22 917 9383 / jeremy.laurence@un.org

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