Afghan UN envoy warns rights defenders face grave security risks under Taliban

Nasir Ahmad Faiq, the acting head of Afghanistan’s permanent mission to the United Nations, warned of the difficult conditions facing human rights defenders in Afghanistan during a meeting of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session. According to him, defending human rights in the country can lead to the loss of freedom, security and even life.

Faiq stressed that the Taliban administration targets human rights defenders through arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances and threats against their families, especially women. He added that female protesters and human rights activists detained by the Taliban face sexual harassment, threats of sexual violence and abuse.

The acting head of Afghanistan’s mission to the UN said fear of retaliation and social stigma prevents reporting of human rights violations and has made accountability for these abuses impossible. He added that those working to educate girls, support victims of violence and document rights violations face serious risks to their personal security and lives.

Faiq also noted that threats against the families of human rights defenders have increased their vulnerability and prevented others from speaking out against human rights abuses.