The Week of June 17 - June 23
The Week of June 17 - June 23
Security and Conflict
Taliban Plan to relocate TTP Members – Security and diplomatic sources informed Afghanistan International that the Taliban plan to relocate Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants from border areas, especially Khost, to other Afghan provinces after discussions with Pakistan and China. This decision follows recent attacks in Pakistan and on Chinese nationals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite TTP concerns and ongoing negotiations, the relocation aims to address Pakistan's accusations of the Taliban harboring TTP militants. Reports suggest potential relocation to northern and western Afghanistan, funded by Pakistan.
Voice of Khorasan Publication – The 32nd issue of ISKP's Voice of Khorasan magazine criticized the Taliban's failure to protect foreigners from ISKP attacks, citing incidents in Bamyan, Moscow, and Iran. It covered topics including India, Pakistan, Iran, Qatar, TTP, and the Afghan Taliban, aiming to undermine Taliban credibility and promote global ISKP propaganda.
Former ISKP Commander Mullah Idris Arrested – Pro-Taliban accounts have announced the arrest of Mullah Idris, also known as Gul Inaam Seerat, a former senior ISKP commander, along with ten comrades in the Zawa area of Khogyani district.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
28 Arrested For Playing Music over Eid – Taliban forces arrested 28 residents of Baghni city, Helmand province, for singing and playing music, filming them with their hands tied. The Taliban, considering music "forbidden," have banned musicians' activities, arrested citizens for dancing, and destroyed musical instruments. This has led to the death, displacement, and severe economic hardship of many Afghan musicians.
Amnesty International Statement on Ahmad Faheem Azimi – Amnesty International has demanded the immediate release of Ahmad Faheem Azimi, an education rights activist, from Taliban custody. Azimi was arbitrarily arrested last year and wrongfully accused of anti-Taliban activities. He was sentenced to one year in prison through an unfair trial, violating international human rights laws.
Internal Politics
Mullah Hibattulah’s Eid Message – In his Eid speech from Kandahar, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada expressed concern over internal divisions within the Taliban, stating he would step down if it ensured unity. He called for an end to public criticism among members, urging them to address issues privately, and reiterated the importance of ensuring women's inheritance rights. Criticizing global powers, he avoided direct commentary on the Israel-Hamas conflict but emphasized granting women their shari'a rights and noted the failures of international human rights ideals in relation to Palestine. Delivered amidst strict media restrictions, his speech was attended by thousands and highlighted the need for unity, particularly before the Taliban's participation in the Doha conference. Despite no international recognition of the Taliban, the UN invited them to the meeting, which does not imply recognition. Akhundzada warned against seeking worldly gains and stressed adherence to Islamic law. His call for unity follows tensions between Taliban hardliners and moderates. Analysts suggest his appeals reflect desperation and a bid to prevent further rifts.
Internal Rifts in the Taliban — Former Afghan interior minister Mohammad Umer Daudzai highlighted internal rifts among Taliban leadership due to unilateral decision-making by Hibatullah Akhundzada. During his Eid al-Adha speech, Akhundzada acknowledged these disagreements and expressed willingness to step aside to prevent further conflict. Daudzai cited policies on girls' education and women's work as contentious issues. Despite Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denying any rifts, UN reports confirm increasing internal disagreements among Taliban leaders regarding key governance issues.
Taliban Claims on Oil Revenue – The Taliban claims nearly $90 million in revenue from mining and oil extraction in less than two months, primarily from the Amu Darya oil field. Additional contracts worth $33.4 million were signed for the Jagdalak and Herat mines. Economic experts express concerns over potential misuse due to a lack of oversight. The Taliban has not disclosed budget details, raising public demand for transparency in revenue use. Significant revenue comes from Chinese-contracted oil fields.
AFF Leadership Announcement – The Leadership Council of the Afghanistan Liberation Front has appointed Dawood Naji as the head of the political affairs and public relations committee, in accordance with the Afghanistan Freedom Charter and the organization's constitution. The leadership extends best wishes to Mr. Naji for success in his new role.
International Developments
Updates on Doha – The third Doha meeting on Afghanistan will be hosted by Rosemary DiCarlo, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations for Political and Peace Affairs. DiCarlo, a seasoned U.S. diplomat with extensive experience, has previously engaged with Afghanistan's political issues and advocates for a political solution and improved human rights, particularly for women and girls. Farhan Haq, UN Deputy Spokesperson, stated that the Taliban will not be recognized as Afghanistan's government but will be treated as de facto authorities. This aligns with Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur, who emphasized the severe violence against women by the Taliban, suggesting it may constitute crimes against humanity. Bennett called for meaningful participation of Afghan civil society, especially women, and highlighted concerns over gender apartheid. The UN stressed the importance of respecting women's rights in Afghanistan. According to Agence France-Presse, Afghan civil society representatives were not invited to the third Doha meeting, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will not attend. The Taliban confirmed their participation, warning that changes in the meeting's composition or agenda could impact their attendance. The UN plans to consult civil society members separately. Women's protest movements and political parties criticized the exclusion, stating it legitimizes the Taliban and worsens the crisis.
US Statement on Doha – Robert Wood, the U.S. Deputy Representative to the UN, urged for the inclusion of Afghan women and civil society in the upcoming Doha meeting, emphasizing human rights and condemning Taliban actions as systematic violations. A U.S. State Department spokesperson informed Afghanistan International that Tom West and Rina Amiri will not attend, raising concerns about the meeting's credibility, echoed by Amnesty International.
Statements on the Exclusion of Women and Civil Society in Doha — The Taliban confirmed on Tuesday their participation in the third Doha conference, leading to significant concessions from the UN, including the exclusion of Afghan women and civil society representatives. Afghan women and girls urge prioritization of their rights and education at the conference. Economic challenges, exacerbated by global sanctions, are highlighted by Afghan businessmen. The Taliban have set conditions excluding human rights discussions. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, condemn the UN’s concessions, stressing the worsening women’s rights crisis under Taliban rule.
UN Security Council Terrorism Concerns – During the United Nations Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia voiced serious concerns about terrorism from Afghanistan. Iran's UN representative, Amir Saeid Iravani, doubted the Taliban's capacity to combat terrorism, stressing the need for engagement with them. Pakistan's representative, Munir Akram, accused the Taliban of sheltering the TTP, noting threats from ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and TTP within Afghanistan. Russia's Vassily Nebenzia supported the UNAMA report, expressing concern over increasing ISIS-Khorasan threats and the Taliban's insufficient anti-narcotics efforts. UN Secretary-General António Guterres reported a significant rise in instability, with over 2,500 security incidents in the past three months, a 55% increase from the previous period. Drug-related incidents surged by 97%, primarily due to the ban on poppy cultivation. Land disputes and armed clashes also rose, highlighting Afghanistan's growing security challenges.
Vienna Meeting – A group of anti-Taliban factions and figures will meet on June 24 in Vienna to achieve political unity among Afghans. Participants include members of the National Resistance Front, Afghanistan Freedom Front, Jamiat, Junbish, and Wahdat parties, with around 70 attendees expected. Notable figures like Ahmad Massoud, Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Rahmatullah Nabil, and Sima Samar will join. The two-day meeting aims to create a shared outlook and will conclude with a roadmap for the Afghan public.
Former White House Press Secretary Called to Congress on Afghanistan Withdrawal – Jen Psaki, former White House Press Secretary, has agreed to testify before Congress about the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, confirmed that Psaki will participate in a transcribed interview on July 26. The committee has sought her testimony for months, and McCaul previously threatened to subpoena her if she did not appear voluntarily.
World Refugee Day – In observance of World Refugee Day, the UNDP reported that around 1.6 million Afghans have migrated to neighboring countries since the Taliban's takeover, mainly to Iran, Pakistan, and Turkey. Most entered illegally. Despite an ongoing economic crisis in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan have been deporting undocumented Afghan refugees extensively. The World Food Program announced on Thursday, June 20, that more than half a million Afghans have been forced to return from Pakistan since last November. Over 120 million people are displaced globally in 2024.
Afghan Women Make up ⅕ of Refugees in EU – The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) reported that Afghan women and girls constituted over one-fifth of all EU asylum applicants in 2023, with Afghan citizens submitting around 118,000 applications. The report highlighted severe persecution threats for women and vulnerable groups in Afghanistan. Germany remains the primary destination, with a 55% acceptance rate for Afghan asylum applications. Women in Afghanistan qualify for asylum due to Taliban oppression and restrictions on education, employment, and public participation.
Statement by Afghan Olympian – Masoumeh Alizadeh, an Afghan cyclist living in France, was appointed head of the refugee team for the Paris Olympics. She emphasized that the team represents refugees, not a specific country. Alizadeh, 28, was part of the Tokyo Olympics refugee team. Five Afghan refugee athletes will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Nicaragua Appoints Ambassador to Afghanistan – Nicaragua has appointed Michael Campbell, its ambassador to China, as a non-resident ambassador to Afghanistan in an unprecedented move to establish diplomatic relations with the Taliban. This marks the first time Nicaragua has engaged diplomatically with Afghanistan. Despite this appointment, Nicaragua has not recognized the Taliban government. In recent months, Campbell met with Taliban diplomats in Beijing and conveyed his president's sympathy for Afghanistan's flood casualties.
Freedom of the Press
Journalist Beaten – Abdullah Danish was beaten while in Taliban custody this week in Parwan for writing a critical report and posting on Facebook about the Taliban. He was released after two days. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urges the Taliban to investigate the incident and ensure the security of media personnel. The Taliban have not commented.
Regional Developments
Call Between Afghan and Iranian Acting Foreign Minister – On Monday, Iran's acting Foreign Minister, Ali Bagheri, held his first conversation with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Bagheri emphasized the Taliban's close regional ties and rejected foreign interference. Succeeding Amir Hossein Abdollahian, Bagheri highlighted Afghanistan's autonomy in decision-making with regional cooperation. Despite improved relations post-U.S. withdrawal, Iran hasn't granted the Taliban diplomatic recognition. The Taliban didn't attend a recent meeting on Afghanistan in Tehran.
Drug Seizures on Iranian Border – Iranian authorities seized 198 kilograms of drugs in Taybad, near the Afghan border, based on intelligence about drug imports. Sardar Majeed Shuja, commander for Iran's Razavi Khorasan Province, reported the operation. This event follows criticism from Russia's UN ambassador regarding the Taliban's insufficient efforts to combat narcotics in Afghanistan.
Turkish Deportation of Afghans – During Eid al-Adha, Turkish police arrested 881 undocumented migrants in various cities. The Turkish Immigration Department announced that the deportation process has begun. Over the holiday, 21,396 identity checks were conducted, identifying over 800 undocumented migrants. Reports indicate an increase in the detention, deportation, and mistreatment of undocumented migrants, including Afghans, in Turkey.
Pakistan Deportations – As of June 21, 2024, 620,981 undocumented Afghans have left Pakistan. Between June 11 and June 21, an additional 13,815 Afghans, including 5,014 men, 4,087 women, and 4,714 children, returned to Afghanistan. To facilitate this repatriation, 547 vehicles transported 498 families back to their home country.
Rabanni to Go to Tehran – Salahuddin Rabbani, leader of a Jamiat-e-Islami faction and former Afghan Foreign Minister, visited Tehran to meet with Iranian officials, marking his first visit since the fall of Afghanistan's Republic. Iran aims to unify the fragmented Jamiat-e-Islami party. The visit coincides with a regional meeting in Tehran, attended by representatives from China, Russia, and Pakistan, which the Taliban declined. Mashhad hosts Taliban-opposing political groups.
Health and Aid
Increase in Cholera Cases – In Samangan province, doctors report a surge in seasonal illnesses during Eid due to a lack of clean drinking water, with hundreds visiting Samangan Provincial Hospital for ailments like diarrhea and vomiting, particularly among malnourished individuals. Residents fell ill after consuming contaminated water, and health experts attribute the rise to unsafe water, overeating, and hot weather. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Afghanistan recorded 46,758 cholera cases from January 1 to May 26, marking a 54% monthly increase, with 25 deaths during this period.
NEXT WEEK
Security Advisory for Doha Conference Period – In the lead-up to the Doha conference, the Taliban is expected to intensify security measures, making the next 7-10 days particularly tense. Be mindful of potential ISKP attacks on Shia communities, especially during Muharram, with increased risks during the first two weeks. Exercise caution around Shia-majority areas and places of worship. Additionally, resistance forces may escalate their attacks as the conference approaches. Stay vigilant, particularly near Taliban checkpoints and areas often targeted by resistance forces. Prioritize your safety and stay informed.
Caution in Iran During Elections and Religious Holidays – Iranian elections will be held on June 28. There has been an increase in anti-Afghan refugee and migrant rhetoric from public officials, and deportations are ongoing. Exercise caution, especially during Muharram, which begins on July 7. Stay informed and take necessary precautions during this period.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Canada Lists IRGC as a Terrorist Group – On Wednesday, Canada's Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc announced the decision to list Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. This move, confirmed by sources and expected this week, allows police to charge supporters and banks to freeze assets. Iran's judiciary deputy chief, Kazem Gharibabadi, condemned the decision, asserting the IRGC's role in national security and counterterrorism. On Friday, the US State Department spokesman welcomed Canada's decision to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group and expressed readiness to support other countries considering similar designations, citing the IRGC's global threat.
Deportation of Afghans with Census Green Cards – Afghan immigrants in Iran report that police now deport those with census green cards unless they participate in a deposit scheme requiring over 100 million tomans. A video from Karaj camp shows Afghan citizens gathering to free relatives. Some claim Iranian police demand money for releases, raising transparency concerns. Iranian officials cite deportation of illegal Afghan citizens.
Iran to Increase Uranium Enrichment – Iran plans to triple uranium enrichment at the Fordow nuclear facility, confirmed by IAEA inspectors and reported by the Washington Post. This significant boost in nuclear capabilities follows Iran's notification to the IAEA and includes expansion at the primary enrichment plant near Natanz.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan’s Concerns with TTP – Munir Akram, Pakistan's UN representative, expressed concern over the TTP using Afghan safe havens and acquiring advanced weapons, calling for efforts to prevent illegal arms trade and recover weapons from terrorists. Concurrently, Pakistan's ambassador to the U.S., Masood Khan, requested military equipment to combat the TTP amid a surge in terrorist attacks since the Taliban's 2021 takeover, with 409 attacks in early 2024, an 83% increase from the previous year. Pakistan seeks consistent U.S. military support as relations with the Afghan Taliban deteriorate.
PTI Protest – Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accused PTI of supporting terrorists due to their opposition to the "Azm-i-Istehkam" operation. PTI, led by Imran Khan, protested in the National Assembly, demanding an end to the operation and calling for peace. The "Azm-i-Istehkam" operation, announced by PM Shehbaz Sharif, aims to combat terrorism with enhanced military efforts and regional cooperation. Meanwhile, PTI's Asad Qaiser discussed maintaining ties with the Taliban with JUI's Fazlur Rehman, opposing the military operation.
ISKP Claims Killing of Jamiat Member — ISKP claimed responsibility for killing Mirza Jan, a senior Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party member, in Waziristan. The attack occurred in Wana, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, using machine guns. Jan succumbed to his injuries.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
Taliban Infighting? Wishful Thinking!
By TAD
Rumors of Taliban infighting, firings, and removals at high levels of the hierarchy have been attracting attention and giving hope to some for the eventual collapse of the regime due to internal conflicts. However, this is false hope. It is natural for any coalition of tribes or armed groups to experience internal rivalry and competition over resources, particularly when a government is formed by such coalitions. We should not mistake the overall convergence of these groups to achieve their strategic aims for winning the war as having unquestionable discipline and obedience to their leader.
Despite depictions of the Taliban as highly disciplined guerrilla fighters who defeated the US and NATO, the reality is far from that. The Taliban in the south and east are comprised of tribes distinct in their lineages and allegiances. Over time, they have also been depicted primarily as students of religion or religious schools, omitting the fact that they hail from different tribes. Although many of them have received religious teachings at madrasas, the main unifying factor connecting them is their belonging to various Pashtun tribes. Another feature of this group is that they identify as Pashtun first and Muslim second, to borrow from public discourse. Many foreign observers and analysts underestimate these tribal allegiances.
The Taliban leaders hail from different tribes, but they currently pledge allegiance to a leader from a relatively less powerful tribe—Mullah Hibattullah, who is a Noorzai—showing a compromise among the stronger tribes. The current leader has a modest background within the Taliban leadership circles; however, he has tried to cement his position during the insurgency through alliance-making and establishing militant units loyal to him from various factions, including sections of his own Noorzai tribe. He is not in a position to enforce his verdicts unless compromises are accepted by other power holders within the Taliban.
A major power group in the current Taliban government are the Haqqanis. They are a large family and have been active for a long time in jihad. They have relations in Pakistan with the military establishment and religious groups and individuals in that country. They also have relations in some Arab Gulf countries, giving them access to funding and support from both governments and individuals in that part of the world. Siraj Haqqani has proven to be both a ruthless warrior and a pragmatist, reaching out to former members of the coalition that made up the Republic, including major warlords in the north.
Siraj is also a prized terrorist with a bounty on his head, making him very pragmatic. He knows he is within the reach of US drones and the Pakistan Air Force. He knows there is no way out of this situation for him, and the only way to remain relatively safe is to move up the ladder of power. He knows if he is sidelined, he will lose his value and become an easy target. He needs to stay relevant, negotiate and deliver what is asked of him. There are two major asks from him at this point: one is by the US, which is countering Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and the second is by Pakistan to curb the TTP threats to Pakistan.
Analyzing the behavior of the Taliban's leadership since August 2021, there is more stability and continuity rather than chaos and disconnection. After the first round of appointments, not much has changed. The same small group of people originally appointed have been repeatedly shuffled between positions. The reason is that the leader did not really have the power to appoint anyone; those groups and individuals captured different parts of the country and became the de facto rulers. He merely put a stamp on the already known power structure. The Haqqanis took over most of Kabul right away and still control the capital. Other groups present in Kabul, including the Kandaharis and Helmandis, are not directly controlled by the Taliban's emir. What he has been doing is mostly playing the role of a pious leader who does not want the position but is burdened because everyone else asked him to take it. He will only hold the position as long as everyone else listens to him, and he is willing to relinquish power if others decide he is not pious enough to lead, as he indicated in his recent Eid speech. He is portraying himself as only responsive to God's commands and will not compromise on what God has ordered him to do, imitating the behavior of former caliphs. His speeches are mostly advice and encouragement to maintain unity and cohesion within the Taliban ranks. He knows he cannot remove major figures from the power structure, so he is trying to advise them to work together and compromise to ensure the Taliban rule is not disrupted. There is also not much incentive for the emir to antagonize the Haqqanis. The mentioned points of divergence between him and the more moderate which forms the basis of the Taliban are not fundamental enough to push him to alienate major players like Haqqani. The major policy issue, the closure of girls' schools, is subject to policy review and compromise. The Taliban have repeatedly claimed that girls’ schools are closed based on the current conditions, though the specific issues with the ‘conditions’ have not been publicly listed, leaving the group a way to reverse the decision should the need arise. The Taliban as a whole have been cognizant of the issue of girls’ schools and women's rights as a bargaining chip for the strategic goal of gaining international legitimacy and recognition, and may reopen schools should it seem a useful choice in the future. Their policies are not set in stone and are often not even codified in writing, allowing them to backtrack based on pressure, be it internal or external.
Another factor to analyze is the externalities that affect the jockeying for power within the Taliban. Every regional country has its favorite warlord or Taliban leader. Pakistan is currently the most interested player, followed by Iran. For various reasons, Pakistan does not support the establishment of a central government led by Pashtuns from Greater Kandahar. The ideal situation for Pakistan is the formation of a government dominated by Pashtuns but includes representatives from other ethnic groups and is a weak coalition that can be easily influenced by Islamabad. Pakistani analysts depict the southern Taliban as more conservative and uncompromising regarding human rights, women's rights, and education for girls. This indicates that they want a faction within the Taliban that is not the majority but more susceptible to Pakistani pressure. The Haqqanis are geographically closer to where the TTP operates and have long-term relations with many TTP fighters in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The generals in Pakistan need the Haqqanis and know they can deliver if they choose to. However, given past experiences, the Taliban do not trust the Pakistani generals. It wasn't long ago that, under President Bush's pressure, Pakistan arrested many Taliban leaders and sent them to Guantanamo prison. The Haqqanis may think that Pakistan has enough sway over Washington's policies towards the Taliban to eventually remove Siraj from the FBI's Most Wanted list. At this point, it seems they will take any help to secure their future. Pakistan has been talking to them directly as Siraj's brother travels to Islamabad, where they allegedly still have residences and friends. It should not come as a surprise if Siraj aims to become the prime minister and the de facto ruler of the country, with the emir being the nominal ruler signing off on his policy suggestions. He has most of what he needs: physical control over Kabul and a few adjacent provinces. He can also project power to other parts of the country, as he mentioned threateningly in his speech in Kandahar that he has thousands of suicide bombers ready for jihad. Jihad does not only mean against outsiders and infidels when there are such high stakes at play, including his head. He will use them as he sees fit, and he is good at deception and denial, labeling others, including ISKP, for such attacks. However, before things get to that level, he might rally enough forces to get what he wants in a less violent way.
Such a scenario satisfies Pakistan's ambitions for greater control over the Taliban, preventing nationalist figures from emerging and tipping the balance of power in favor of a smaller branch of the Taliban that cannot sustain itself without Pakistan’s support. In short, divide, let the smaller faction take over, have them depend on you, and then control. This scenario will not upset other regional countries as long as their interests are not adversely affected. Given that Haqqani is the only main leader who has ventured out of the country, visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia, a new venue for diplomatic engagement with the Taliban is opening. While countries like Iran might frown upon deeper relations between the Taliban and UAE, they might secretly welcome an alternative engagement opportunity with a faction that could deliver on their demands, primarily curbing the threat of terrorism. Multilateral engagements like Doha conferences have disappointed many. Maybe it is time to deal with the devil himself.
Figures such as Haqqani are too strong to be sidelined, particularly by the whims of someone with as weak a position as Mullah Hibatullah. WeIdo not foresee an outright war or crumbling among the Taliban but rather the emergence of a reformist group versus the conservative ones and the continued process of contractions and expansions within the group. The reformists might even be able to provide space for other ethnic groups to participate in the political life of the country, reducing challenges to Taliban rule.
AFGHAN NEWS
Destruction Under The Pretext Of Development: The Bitter Tale Of House Demolitions In Kabul
Bashir Ahmad Sadid
Afghanistan, a country where its specialized issues have always been influenced by the short-term policies of ruling regimes, has often seen individuals without expertise or vocational knowledge seated in decision-making positions. One of these irrational, non-specialized, and uneconomical decisions is the demolition of expensive houses belonging to the people of Kabul. Destroying these homes in the current crisis conditions under the pretext of constructing roads and reducing urban traffic has resulted in significant financial losses for the impoverished people of Afghanistan, particularly in Kabul. This article explores some reasons opposing this decision from the perspectives of urban planning, economics, transportation and urban traffic, and social considerations.
REGIONAL NEWS
Taliban urges Iran to prioritize its recognition
Amu TV
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has called on Iran to prioritize their recognition.
In an interview with Iran’s Tabnak news agency, Mujahid emphasized the Taliban’s expectation that Tehran should take the lead in formal recognition.
Mujahid stated that countries should make their decisions about recognizing the Taliban “freely.” So far, no country has officially recognized the Taliban administration in Afghanistan.
The international community has demanded that the Taliban respect human rights, especially the rights of women and girls, and establish an inclusive government.
Mob In Pakistan Drags Burning Body Of 'Blasphemer' Through Streets In Swat Valley
RFE
A Pakistani man who was visiting the country's Swat Valley as a tourist on June 20 was beaten to death and his body set on fire by an angry mob after he was accused of blasphemy.
The mob severely beat the man, identified as a resident of Punjab Province, and dragged his burning naked body through the streets, according to reports about the incident and authorities who spoke with RFE/RL.
Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Toomaj Salehi
Iran International
Iran’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of jailed Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi that had shocked millions of Iranians and human rights defenders, as well as politicians in the West.
“The Supreme Court avoided an irreparable judicial error. The death sentence of Toomaj Salehi was overturned and based on the appeal decision of the 39th branch of the Supreme Court, the case will be referred to the parallel branch for consideration,” Salehi’s lawyer, Amir Raisian wrote on X.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
UNAMA report
Summary
Political Disagreements: The UNAMA report indicates ongoing disagreements within the Taliban leadership on governance issues such as the drug ban implementation.
Human Rights: The report highlights severe restrictions on the basic rights and freedoms of women and girls, including access to education.
Security: Security incidents in Afghanistan increased by 55 percent compared to the same period last year, with significant rises in drug-related incidents and continued ISIS-Khorasan attacks.
Civilian Casualties: The report documents numerous civilian casualties due to improvised explosive devices and unexploded ordnance, with children being the majority of victims.
Education and Civil Society: The Taliban continued efforts to standardize madrassa education, but restrictions on civil society and political activities have tightened.
Economy: Afghanistan's economy faces deflationary pressures due to lower import prices and reduced demand, with overall inflation reaching minus 9.7 percent by February 2024.
The Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) is an information management system of tools and methodologies used to track and monitor displacement and population mobility. In Afghanistan, IOM activated the DTM programme in January 2017 in response to the substantial increase of Afghans returning home from neighbouring countries, as well as record levels of internal displacement. DTM in Afghanistan is designed to regularly and systematically capture, process and disseminate multi-layered information about the population sizes, locations, geographic distribution, movements, vulnerabilities, evolving multisectoral needs, and the drivers of migration of returnees, IDPs, migrants and mobile populations. DTM implements baseline mobility assessments, flow monitoring, registrations, and various migration surveys to provide an essential evidence base that enables decision-makers and humanitarian, reintegration and development partners to maximize resources and deliver efficient, better-targeted, mobility-sensitive and sustainable humanitarian; reintegration, community stabilization and development programming.
Shutting Afghan women out of key UN conference to appease Taliban ‘a betrayal’
Tom Levitt, Annie Kelly, Zahra Joya
Excluding Afghan women from an upcoming UN conference on Afghanistan would be a “betrayal” of women and girls in the country, say human rights groups and former politicians.
The Taliban are reportedly demanding that no Afghan women be allowed to participate in the UN meeting in Doha starting 30 June, set up to discuss the international community’s approach to Afghanistan, and that women’s rights are not on the agenda.
Since taking power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have restricted women’s access to education, employment and public spaces. In March, it was reported that they would reintroduce the public flogging and stoning of women for adultery.
IAIS
Currently, there is an alarming trend in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan associated with the intensification of radical propaganda on social networks. This negative trend raises serious concerns and requires closer attention from society and the authorities. Radical propaganda based on ideological and religious extremism is becoming more widespread in these regions. It is aimed at manipulating the masses, forming negative stereotypes and inciting ethnic hatred. Such attempts at manipulation and division only increase social tensions and threaten the peaceful coexistence of various ethnic groups. Despite the fact that the percentage of the population affected by such influence in Uzbekistan is small, the increasing number of radical channels seems to be a cause for concern.