Human Rights Watch (HRW), in its World Report 2026, has expressed serious concern over systematic human rights violations under the Taliban government in Afghanistan, warning that the situation has severely deteriorated, intensifying the country’s humanitarian crisis.
According to HRW, the rule of law, fundamental rights, and freedoms have significantly worsened under Taliban rule. The report details that physical punishments, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and widespread violence have become commonplace across the country.
The report further highlights that the Taliban have imposed strict restrictions on media, severely limiting press freedom, while civil society organizations, journalists, and minority communities face increasing targeted attacks and violent reprisals.
Women, in particular, have borne the brunt of the Taliban’s restrictive policies. Through systemic bans, violence, and suspension of basic rights, women have effectively been excluded from the state system. These measures have dramatically curtailed women’s access to education, employment, and social participation, deepening gender inequality in Afghan society.
International experts cited in the HRW report also warn that the Taliban’s mismanagement has plunged the Afghan population into severe economic and social crisis, undermining stability not only within Afghanistan but across the region. Experts emphasize that the Taliban’s internal failures pose significant threats to regional peace and border security, demanding urgent attention from the international community.
HRW’s findings underscore the urgent need for global engagement and oversight to address human rights violations in Afghanistan and to mitigate the potential regional and international security implications of continued Taliban governance.
