On Monday, the Taliban officials dissolved five key departments in Afghanistan’s government, including the Human Rights Commission (HRC) and High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), calling them “unnecessary” amid a financial crisis.
The Taliban government’s deputy spokesperson Innamullah Samangani told Reuters: “Because these departments were not deemed necessary and were not included in the budget, they have been dissolved,” adding, “the national budget was based on objective facts and intended only for departments that had been active and productive.”
The Taliban have issued a decree today that officially dissolves Afghanistan’s Human Rights Commission, Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament and the Afghan Peace Council - marking the end of the Republic and 20 years of international efforts to build a democracy. A tragedy.
— Shabnam Nasimi (@NasimiShabnam) May 16, 2022
Commenting on the departments’ future, Samangani said they could be reinstituted in the future “if needed.”
The HCNR is responsible for overseeing the implementation of Afghanistan’s constitution. It was previously chaired by former Afghan President Abdullah Abdullah and was a key feature of the United States-brokered peace accord between the previous Ashraf Ghani government and the Taliban.
Apart from Afghanistan’s HRC and HCNR, the Taliban last December dissolved the country’s Independent Election Commission (IEC), which was established back in 2006 to supervise polls. Like this week, the Taliban said at the time that the IEC, as well as the Electoral Complaint Commission, were “unnecessary institutes for the current situation in Afghanistan.” It also dissolved the Ministry of Peace and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs at the same time. Similarly, it dissolved the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and replaced it with the Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice last September.
The dissolution of the two key bodies this week comes amid the visit of the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennet from May 15 to May 26.
According to a statement by the UN Human Rights Council, Bennett will hold discussions with the Taliban and other stakeholders to “assess the situation of human rights, including with regard to the implementation of obligations under international human rights instruments ratified by Afghanistan, and to offer assistance to address and prevent violations and abuses.”
1/2 د لوړو زده کړو سرپرست وزیر د #افغانستان لپاره د بشري حقونو په برخه کې د ملګرو ملتونو له ځانګړي استازي ریچارډ بېنټ سره په کتنه کې له هغه غوښتي چې د زده کړو بهیر له نږدې وګوري او بیا قضاوت وکړي او د لوړو زده کړو په برخه کې له افغانستان سره مرسته وکړي. pic.twitter.com/3SrxNIfUTy
— Bakhtar News Agency (@BakhtarNA) May 16, 2022
He will also meet with members of civil society and diplomatic representatives as well as conduct field visits.
Bennett is expected to submit a report following his visit. In this respect, international relations analyst Walif Forzan told TOLO News: “Unarmed people are being tortured, killed and mistreated. Mr. Bennett can provide a neutral report which can cover all cases.”
It's hard to fathom the sheer courage of these Afghan women. Despite Taliban attempts to silence them, they continue to protest and demand equality for themselves and for all the women & girls across Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/KGgCprZUwr
— Yalda Hakim (@BBCYaldaHakim) May 10, 2022
The dissolution of the two departments comes on the back of the Taliban announcing a $501 million budget deficit, which has been attributed to dwindling foreign aid, enduring Western sanctions, and restricted access to up to $10 billion in central bank foreign reserves.
The group has made no comments on how they aim to bridge the gap between the expected expenditures and income. However, it has projected spending of up to $2.6 billion, of which $2.3 billion has been set aside for ordinary expenditure. The remaining $300 million has been allocated for development activities.
The Taliban came to power last August after overthrowing the Ghani government. Upon seizing control, it promised the international community that it would adopt a moderate approach. In fact, any potential recognition of its government is contingent on protecting the rights of women and minorities, ensuring and inclusive government, and preventing the country from becoming a safe haven for terrorists.
On May 7th, Taliban officials in Afghanistan announced that women and girls should not leave their homes unless necessary, and only with their whole bodies covered, including their faces.
— Human Rights Watch (@hrw) May 10, 2022
The restrictions are the harshest imposed since the Taliban returned to power last August. pic.twitter.com/1FTxuu6waG
However, its commitment to protecting human rights has come under heavy fire in recent weeks. For instance, just last week it ordered all women to cover their faces from head to toe in public spaces. It has also banned girls from attending high school and women from boarding flights unless they were accompanied by a male relative, among various other restrictions.
Against this backdrop, UN Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting last Thursday to discuss the Taliban’s “continuous infringement on human rights for girls and women,” which they said is “detrimental to peace and stability” in the country.”
A new Taliban decree has forbidden men and women from eating at restaurants together and visiting parks at the same time, even if you’re a married couple.
— Shabnam Nasimi (@NasimiShabnam) May 12, 2022
Afghanistan is facing the most serious women’s rights crisis in the world today.
“These restrictions will also severely limit Afghanistan’s ability to respond to the catastrophic economic and humanitarian situation, which again may lead to violence and radicalisation,” said Norway’s deputy ambassador to the UN, Trine Heimerback.
On the same day, the G7 issued a joint statement condemning the Taliban’s moves to “severely limit half the population’s ability to fully, equally, and meaningfully participate in society.”
Joined my G7 colleagues in deploring the increasing restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban. Severely limiting half the population's ability to fully, equally and meaningfully participate in society will not advance peace, stability or development.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 13, 2022
Similarly, the next day, the G7 countries and Australia, Denmark, Finland, South Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, and Sweden joined hands to stress that the Taliban’s recent moves are not “isolated decisions,” noting frequent attacks on women and girls’ rights to “education, work and freedom of movement, opinion and expression through restrictions on unaccompanied travel, participation in the workforce, and ability to express themselves openly.”