Introduction
Afghanistan is one of the countries suffering from the most severe violence in the world, both due to ongoing internal conflicts and the control of repressive regimes. Since the renewed Taliban takeover in August 2021, there has been a severe deterioration in the human rights situation in the country, with women, girls, and ethnic and religious minorities becoming the main victims of the oppression. The radical Islamist element plays a central role in shaping the violence in the country, as it serves as a religious and political justification for severe human rights abuses.
The History of Violence in Afghanistan
Violence in Afghanistan is not a new phenomenon. Since the Soviet invasion in 1979, the country has been the scene of bloody wars. After the withdrawal of the Soviet Union in 1989, a fierce civil war broke out, which led to the rise of the Taliban to power in 1996. During their first reign (1996-2001), they implemented a radical Islamist regime that almost completely abolished women's rights, banned education for them, and used brutal punishment against political opponents and religious minorities.
After the overthrow of the Taliban regime by coalition forces led by the US in 2001, hope was created for an improvement in the human rights situation, and especially for the improvement in the status of women. For about 20 years, women gained access to education, participated in politics and were integrated into various sectors. However, with the withdrawal of foreign forces and the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, these achievements were ended, and the situation quickly deteriorated.
Violence Against Women
With the return of the Taliban to power, they reintroduced policies that discriminate against women in a radical way. Prohibitions were imposed on education for girls beyond the sixth grade, they were forbidden to work in government institutions and most of the private sector, and they were even forbidden to travel without a male escort. The Afghan legal system today does not provide any protection for women from domestic violence or other injuries. Many women who participated in demonstrations for their rights were arrested, beaten and imprisoned without trial. Reports from human rights organizations describe cases of kidnappings, torture and executions of feminist activists, especially in cities like Kabul and Herat.
Persecution of Religious and Ethnic Minorities
The Taliban promote a radical Sunni ideology that excludes and oppresses religious minorities such as Shiites, Hazaras, Christians and Hindus in the country. The Shiite Hazara community has for years been a target of terror attacks by groups such as ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) and the Taliban itself. Schools, mosques and population centers of the Hazaras were a target for attacks in which hundreds of people were killed. The new government does not provide any protection to these minorities. On the contrary, it has often been reported that the Taliban's own security forces were involved in ethnic cleansing and targeted attacks against minority groups.
The Destructive Impact of Radical Islamism
The radical Islamist element plays a central role in the oppression of Afghan society. The Salafi-Wahhabi ideology held by the Taliban and their ilk justifies severe violations of women's rights, freedom of religion and freedom of expression. Moreover, their regime uses Islam as a tool for political and military control, while completely ignoring more moderate interpretations of religion. The Taliban also educate the younger generation to extreme values, while closing many educational institutions and converting them into madrassas (religious schools) that teach a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam. In this way, they ensure the continuation of their rule and prevent the creation of a more liberal ideological alternative.
Violence Against Journalists and Regime Opponents
Since the Taliban's re-takeover, freedom of the press has almost completely disappeared. Journalists who published critical content were beaten, arrested, and some were even executed. Many of them were forced to flee the country. Today, the media in the country is completely controlled by the regime, and the censored content prevents any criticism of the government's actions.
The International Situation and the Global Response
Despite the global shock at the events in Afghanistan, most countries in the world have not taken practical steps to prevent the oppression in the country. Although international organizations have expressed public condemnation, concrete actions such as severe sanctions or humanitarian intervention have remained limited. Western countries are facing a dilemma: whether to try to put pressure on the regime through negotiations and humanitarian aid, or to completely cut off contact and try to exert stronger external pressure?
Conclusions
Afghanistan is currently in one of the darkest periods in its history. The systematic violence against women, minorities and regime opponents, along with extreme education and suppression of human rights, reflects the devastating impact of radical Islamism in the country. While the international community remains largely passive, the people of Afghanistan continue to suffer under a ruthless tyrannical rule. The road to change seems difficult and long, but the internal resistance and the struggle of women and minorities in impossible conditions may be the only hope for a better future.