KABUL – Taliban authorities said on Tuesday they had dissolved Afghanistan’s independent human rights commission because it was “not deemed necessary”.
Since taking power last August, extremist Islamists have shut down several agencies that protect Afghan freedoms, including the Election Commission and the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.
“We have other organizations that carry out activities related to human rights, organizations that are linked to the judicial system,” said deputy government spokesman Inamullah Samangani, without giving more details.
The work of the Human Rights Commission, which included documenting civilian victims of the two-decade war in Afghanistan, was halted when the Taliban overthrew a US-backed government last year and senior officials of the body fled the country.
The work of the Human Rights Commission, which included documenting civilian victims of the two-decade war in Afghanistan, was halted when the Taliban overthrew a US-backed government last year and senior officials of the body fled the country.
The National Security Council and a reconciliation council for promoting peace were also closed over the weekend as the government announced its first annual budget.
“These departments are not considered necessary, so they have been dissolved. But if they are needed in the future, they can resume their work,” Samangani said.
The Taliban face a budget shortfall of around 44 billion Afghans (about $500 million) in a country almost entirely dependent on foreign aid.
Heather Barr, deputy women’s rights director at Human Rights Watch, said it was shocking to see Afghanistan falling behind on closures.
“It was extremely important to go somewhere, ask for help and demand justice,” she tweeted.
The Taliban previously promised a softer regime than their first rule of 1996-2001, but have steadily eroded the freedoms of many Afghans, especially women, who face restrictions on education, work and dress clothing.
- additional report by AFP
