No End to Taliban Revenge Killings in Afghanistan
Human Rights WatchAug 22, 2023
The UN is reporting that the Taliban has conducted more than 200 extrajudicial killings of former Afghan military members, law enforcement, and government officials since seizing control of the country two years ago.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released the report on Tuesday, claiming that the alleged 218 killings were part of “at least 800 human rights violations” by the Taliban – including "enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and detentions, torture and ill-treatment and threats."
The UN’s latest report is another example of the Taliban’s brutality and abuse of power to silence its opponents. From promising to grant amnesty to former officials and soldiers to pledges of advancing women’s rights, the Taliban has done nothing but lie since taking over. Western countries should hold the Taliban accountable and continue to not recognize this illegitimate government.
The UN’s latest report is a gross misrepresentation of Afghanistan and the leadership of the Islamic Emirate. The Taliban has overwhelmingly abided by its promise of a general amnesty and has made numerous positive developments for the emirate. While there may have been personal instances of rogue officials abusing their power, it's not representative of the state.
There's a 47% chance the Taliban-controlled Afghanistan will be used as a base for terrorism against a NATO nation by 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.