The Week of March 4-10
LAST WEEK
International Meetings and Conferences
UN Secretary General Report on Afghanistan – The report details political developments, including internal political struggles within the de facto government, lack of inclusion in institutions and leadership, the ongoing decline of the educational system and growth of madrassas, human rights violations against women and religious and ethnic minorities. The report also provides a detailed report on security issues occurring during the reporting period, as well as regional developments, economic development and humanitarian assistance. The report notes a 38% increase in security issues between November 2023 and January 2024 compared to the same period in the previous year. The full report can be read here: UNAMA Report March 2024. The Taliban have responded to the report noting that the events listed as human rights violations are “law and order” and denying any ethnic basis for incidents.
Special Representative Speech – On Wednesday Roza Otunbayeva spoke regarding the recent Doha meeting that confirmed continued international engagement as necessary and noted that Afghanistan remains a priority. She outlined the issue of gender apartheid and the purposeful oppression of women.She also addressed the issues of security and terrorism, as well as economic development.
Afghan Representative to Security Council Speech – Afghanistan's UN representative, Naseer Faiq, emphasized at a Security Council meeting that global interaction with the Taliban should be contingent on their human rights and anti-terrorism efforts. He warned against normalizing relations without behavioral change and stressed the need for an inclusive political system and international consensus for Afghanistan's peace and stability.
Geneva National Forum Dialogue – A two-day conference on Afghanistan was held at the Geneva Center for Dialogue and Development in Antalya, Turkey. Approximately 80 subject experts, including human rights activists and diplomats participated. The discussion was centered around human rights issues, civic participation, governance, and whether the world should engage with the Taliban. The conference concluded with the formation of the Afghan Civil Society Complex to coordinate civil society activities in Afghanistan and abroad.
SIV Concerns – The US Special Immigrant Visa program is faced with concerns of exhausting its allotted visas. The program currently has approximately 7,000 visas remaining with more than 140,000 applicants waiting for visas. Visas for this program are reauthorized each year by Congress. The Senate has passed a bill with an additional 20,000 visas to be issued during this fiscal year, but the bill has yet to pass in the House. The last of the appropriations bills that will allow more visas for this year are due to be finalized within the next two weeks.
Human Rights and Civil Liberties
Women’s Protests – In honor of International Women’s Day, women’s rights activists took to the streets of several cities in Afghanistan, despite the severe risk of detention and reprisal, to protest the oppression faced by women under Taliban rule. The women marched in Balkh and Takhar, holding signs and chanting slogans as they walked through the streets.
More Floggings – According to the Taliban Supreme Court, on Wednesday, 10 people, including 2 women, were publicly whipped in the street in Maidan Wardak, for alleged "immorality". On Thursday, seven individuals were flogged in Helmand for various crimes including theft and "debauchery". On Saturday, three men were flogged for sodomy. On Sunday, four individuals were flogged and sentenced to six years in prison in Parwan for smuggling.
Teachers Barred from Training – On Tuesday, a group of 50 female teachers from the Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan Teacher Training Institute in Kabul were dismissed by the Taliban Ministry of Education. The women issued a statement, noting that they were the breadwinners of their families and stating their opposition to the Taliban’s policies towards women. The same day, 28 Hazara teachers, including 7 women, were dismissed from the Bamiyan teacher training facility.
Security and Conflict
Detention and Killing of Former Security Personnel – Over the past several days, the GDI has held several raids in Lashkargah, in search of former NDS officials. 16 former NDS officials, including directors and officers from Helmand, have been detained over the past week. In a separate incident, Al-ya Gul, a former soldier, was arrested by the Taliban this week in Momandara district of Nangarhar. His body was returned to his family several days later. Al-ya Gul's body showed signs of torture and strangulation. Further, reports from Faryab indicate that 5 former ANSF members have been killed under suspicious circumstances over the past three weeks. On Sunday the Taliban shot and killed Asadullah, a former NDS official in Qala-e Fathullah, Kabul.
Arrest of Alleged NRF Member – Shahenshah, a resident of Rono, Andarab, Baghlan, was arrested in Kabul following his return from Iran. He was arrested on suspicion of ties to NRF, though locals claim no such ties exist. Residents of Andarab are known as stark opponents to the Taliban, and as a result, it is estimated that approximately 400 individuals from the area have been arrested, detained or disappeared by the Taliban since their return to power.
Suicide Bomber Squad Dissolved – On Wednesday, the Taliban Chief of Staff, Fasihuddin Fitrat, stated that the Taliban Suicide battalions had been disbanded and that the soldiers involved had been absorbed into the special forces.
Resettlement of Migrants in Panjshir – Locals have expressed concern about the Taliban plan to build a migrant settlement in Annabe, Panjshir. Over the past several months, the Taliban have adopted a plan to relocate as many as 6.1 million people across 22 provinces, mostly in minority ethnic areas in the north. The plans are reminiscent of attempts by past kings to push out ethnic minorities and introduce Pashtuns to northern provinces to consolidate power and spread their support bases.
Mine Contracts in Panjshir – The Taliban Ministry of Mines announced that 550 companies were recently granted permission to mine emeralds in Panjshir. The names, nationalities, or other affiliations of the companies registered to mine emeralds have not been released. Mines have been important in local economies. They have also been a source of infighting among warlords, the Taliban, resistance fighters, and government forces in the past.
Freedom of the Press and Education
Social Media Activist Detained – Mobeen Khan, also known as General Mobeen, a Taliban social media personality, was reportedly arrested by the GDI on Monday in Karte Parwan, Kabul. Mobeen has been arrested and released several times due to criticism of some Taliban policies and neighboring countries.
Taliban Graduate Exams – The Taliban's Ministry of Higher Education conducted a qualifying exam testing the “religious science proficiency” for 51,000 religious school graduates in Afghanistan, proposing to award them a Master's level equivalent degree. The move signals an attempt to replace secular education with religious studies, influencing Afghanistan's young population's future job market readiness. This action follows previous opposition by the acting Minister of Higher Education to such exams for members of the group, emphasizing physical combat achievements over educational credentials.
Regional Developments
Drugs seized on Iran/Afghanistan Border – On Monday, Iranian border officials announced the discovery of 1,230 kilograms of hashish in a vehicle at the Malik National Border Crossing with Afghanistan. The driver of the vehicle has been arrested. Taliban officials have repeatedly claimed that there is no drug production remaining in Afghanistan. Iskander Momeni, the head of Iran’s Counternarcotics Agency, noted that there has been an increase in Afghan-produced narcotics in Iran. This week, Mullah Baradar met with Pino Arlacchi, former head of UNDCP, reportedly about alternatives to poppy growth in Afghanistan. During the meeting, Baradar restated the claim that there is no drug production or trafficking in Afghanistan.
Cross Border Fighting – Fighting occurred along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Kurram Tribal District and Khost province on the Kharlachi-Dandi Patan axis. The fighting started after the Pakistani forces attempted to set up a checkpoint. Reports range from 8 Pakistani security forces injured to 16 Pakistani military personnel killed, and 6 individuals injured including civilians. No reports have been released on Afghan casualties from this incident.
Water Released to Chah-Nima – Taliban officials have allowed water to be diverted from the Helmand river to refill the Chah-Nima reservoir in Iran. Water usage and diversion has been a contentious issue between Afghanistan and neighboring countries.
Travel and Weather
Landslide in Mahipar – On Saturday a landslide occurred in Mahipar pass, Surobi District of Kabul on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway leaving 3 dead and 6 others injured.
Heavy Rain and Flooding – Heavy rain has caused flash floods in Uruzgan and Farah. Heavy rain and snow are expected in Jowzjan, Faryab, Ghor, Daikundi, Paktika, Ghazni, Uruzgan, Zabul, Helmand and Kandahar.
NEXT WEEK
With the onset of Ramadan on Monday, March 11, there is an anticipated escalation in tensions, with a potential increase in assaults by ISKP and various resistance factions, as well as intensified measures by the Taliban. During this period, Shia Muslims, women, and other minority groups may face elevated threats and violence.
Reflecting on recent trends, the National Resistance Front (NRF) and the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) may have started their spring offensive and are likely to continue with the increased frequency of attacks.
In Pakistan, protests are likely to continue against the newly formed government with the aim of securing Imran Khan's release from jail. Those Afghans residing in Pakistan should maintain their security measures by avoiding unnecessary movements and steering clear of groups and protests.
REGIONAL ROUNDUP
IRAN
Clashes on the Border with Afghanistan – On Thursday, Iranian border guards clashed with an armed group in South Khorasan province, trying to enter Iran, leaving 1 border guard dead and 2 injured. According to the report, a number of members of this group were injured and fled to the territory of the neighboring country. A gun, a night vision camera, and other accompanying items were discovered. A similar attack was claimed by Ansarul Al-Furqan, a Baloch militant group, on the Zahedan-Kash highway, Sistan and Baluchestan province.
Refugees Shot – On Wednesday, Iranian border guards shot and injured 8 asylum seekers from Herat in the Saravan district of Sistan and Baluchestan province.
Iran's Nuclear program - Iran's adherence to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the "illusory hope" of cooperation were major topics at an International Atomic Energy Agency meeting. The U.S. and EU expressed severe concerns over reports unable to confirm the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program.
UN Report On Mahsa Amini – On March 8, the UN issued a report holding the Iranian Regime responsible for the physical violence that led to the death of Mahsa Amini and the deaths of protesters, labeling the response as crimes against humanity. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, has dismissed the report as false and biased. The full report can be found here: UN Report
PAKISTAN
Zardari President and Protests – PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari was named president for a second time. In response, PTI spokesperson announced that peaceful protests would be held in Punjab, Karachi, Peshawar and other areas across Pakistan on Sunday, March 10. During these protests, several political figures were reportedly arrested.
Afghans Arrested for Terrorism – 3 unnamed Afghans were arrested on Wednesday in Rawalpindi. According to Police Chief Syed Khalid Hamdani, the individuals were in possession of IEDs, grenades, various other weapons, and a detailed map of Adiala Jail, where Imran Khan is currently incarcerated.
VP Balochistan Shia Counsel Killed – Haji Rahmzan Hazara, Vice President of the Balochistan Shia Council, was hit by a targeted attack on Sunday near his home in Hazara Town, Quetta, and died of the resultant injuries on Tuesday. Hazaras in Balochistan have faced multiple attacks and bombings by extremist groups, resulting in numerous deaths over the past decade.
Imam Killed – A Taliban-aligned Imam was killed in Bar Qambarkhel, Khyber Tribal District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday, allegedly by ISKP. This follows a previous pattern of targeted killings in Bajaur and Khyber Tribal areas against individuals that supported the Afghan Taliban in cross-border fights with ISKP in Nangarhar and Kunar.
Balochistan Liberation Army Video – On Saturday, the BLA released a video depicting the training of its fighters and stating that the group would continue attacks on Pakistani forces.
Motorcycle Explosion – At least two people died and one was injured in a motorcycle explosion in Board Bazaar, Peshawar. The victims were transported to Khyber Teaching Hospital. Preliminary findings suggest the motorcycle carried explosives, indicating a potential suicide mission or a prematurely detonated bomb.
TAJIKISTAN
700 NGOs Dissolved – A UN press release states that 700 NGOs in Tajikistan have been closed by the Tajik Minister of Justice over an 18-month period. The UN report notes that many of the NGOs were well-established and had been working on issues of human rights, civil society, supporting domestic violence victims, and protecting the environment. Tajikistan has a history of issues with human rights, freedom of speech, and violence against women, making these closures all the more concerning.
INDIA
India Increases Engagement With Afghanistan – JP Singh, the envoy for Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, embarked on a visit to Afghanistan where he engaged with Taliban representatives, business leaders, and former political figures. During these discussions, the Taliban requested enhanced trade relations, an increase in visa allocations, and greater access through Iran's Chabahar port to facilitate trade activities.
SPOTLIGHT ANALYSIS
India's Delicate Dance: Navigating the Complex Terrain of Afghanistan
By TAD
India's engagement in Afghanistan is intricately linked to its national security interests and regional ambitions, which largely resonate with the aspirations of progressive and open-minded Afghans. This stance has not been entirely of its own volition but rather a countermeasure to the religious fundamentalism and radicalism fueled by Pakistan, especially during periods of political upheaval, such as the tenure of the communist regime and the subsequent Soviet incursion. Throughout this turmoil, India supported the Kabul government against the Mujahideen, who were backed by Western powers.
From 2001 to 2021, India supported the Afghan Republic, aligning with international efforts to foster stability and development. The country invested in key projects, notably in the sectors of agriculture, irrigation (including the Salma Dam), and education. These investments have contributed to the development of human capital during the Republic era, drawing inspiration from South Asian models. A major element of India’s approach has been to facilitate Afghanistan's access to international waters, a move aimed at diminishing its trade reliance on Pakistan. This initiative culminated in the joint development of the Chabahar port alongside Iran, a project that has notably been exempted from US sanctions. This exemption underlines the United States' indirect support for the endeavor, marking a significant advancement towards boosting Afghanistan’s trade independence and diversifying its economic partnerships.
The recent strain in Afghan-Pakistan relations, heightened by increasing jihadist activities and political tensions, highlights the region's complex dynamics. The Taliban, resentful of past Pakistani actions, are moving away from Pakistan, drawing closer to India and Iran. Viewing Iran as the lesser of two evils, they seek to use this relationship to counter Pakistani influence. This realignment towards Iran, and indirectly India, indicates the Taliban's strategic shift to assert autonomy and address national needs, signaling a notable change in regional and international dynamics.
India possesses significant potential to shape outcomes in Afghanistan, leveraging its substantial influence and diverse means of engagement. However, to fully capitalize on these opportunities, India must adopt a more aggressive approach, shifting away from its traditionally measured pace. By intensifying interactions with nationalist elements within and beyond the Taliban, and accelerating support for economic development projects, India can challenge the prevailing dominance of hardline religious factions. This more assertive strategy could not only transform the current landscape but also accomplish what years of warfare and billions of dollars spent during the era of the republic could not.
AFGHAN NEWS
On International Women’s Day female activists share tales of Taliban torture
Sharif Amiry
On International Women’s Day, a female activist fighting for girls’ education recounted her ordeal of detention and abuse by the Taliban. Marriam, a pseudonym, revealed she was arrested and publicly subjected to 52 lashes by the Taliban for her advocacy efforts.
Bearing physical reminders of her punishment, Marriam shared her harrowing experience of spending 20 days in detention before being released on condition. The Taliban, she said, cautioned her and her family against opposing its strictures.
Breaking the silence: Women’s resistance in Afghanistan
Alia Chebbab
Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, women and girls have seen their rights deteriorate so drastically that Amnesty International said their treatment should be considered a crime against humanity, that of ‘gender persecution’. And yet, despite losing their freedom of movement, political participation, and speech, Afghan women have been putting their lives at risk to fight for their rights.
Afghan Women and Girls’ Rights Stifled in the Shadow of International Indifference
Smriti Singh
When the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, it publicly promised a future where women would be active participants in society, free to study and work within a framework outlined by the group. In a world eager for positive change, the international community hoped that this time, perhaps, the regime would be different from its previous iteration.
Fast forward two and a half years and the reality facing Afghan women and girls is grim. As the Taliban have tightened their grip on Afghanistan, they have introduced over 50 decrees that directly curtail the rights of women and girls, weaving a tapestry of restrictions that binds women and girls in Afghanistan in a web of oppression. Women and girls are now banned from education beyond primary school. Women continue to face restrictions on their attire, access to public spaces, employment options, ability to seek public office or perform public roles, and their basic freedom of movement and expression.
The Taliban once smashed TVs. Now it fosters YouTubers to promote its image
Rick Noack
The Taliban-run government is fostering a thriving community of YouTube influencers and video bloggers in Afghanistan, seeking to shape a positive narrative about the country by rewarding those who have welcome viewpoints with access to stories that can draw millions of views online.
REGIONAL NEWS
Despite UN warnings, Iran’s execution of Kurds and political dissidents continues unchecked
Haidar Khezri
Since the 2022 death of Jîna Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman held in police custody for wearing her hijab inappropriately, Iranian demonstrators have protested against the repressive regime and the surge of executions of ethnic and religious political dissidents.
In the first 11 months of 2023, Iran had executed 746 people, prompting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to observe that Iran was carrying them out “at an alarming rate.”
Hundreds attend women’s day marches, counter-protests in Pakistan
Arab News
Hundreds of women rallied across Pakistan on Friday for International Women’s Day, a movement that often draws criticism from right-wing religious groups for its alleged western influence.
Known as Aurat March, women turned out in major cities to highlight issues such as street harassment, bonded labor and the lack of representation in parliament.
Iran Confiscates Oil from Chevron-Chartered Tanker Year After Seizing Ship
Maritime Executive
An Iranian court has issued an order confiscating a crude oil cargo from the Advantage Sweet tanker a year after the country’s navy forcibly stopped the ship. It is the latest example of “tit for tat” retaliation by the Iranians against the U.S. and Western sanctions imposed in 2018 during the Trump administration.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS RELATING TO AFGHANISTAN
The Situation in Afghanistan UN Security Council Video
Freedom in the World — Afghanistan Country Report
Since overthrowing the elected government, the Taliban have closed the country’s political space; opposition to its rule is not tolerated, while women and minority groups have seen their rights curtailed by the new regime.
Afghanistan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2024, Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide. Freedom in the World 2024 Full report
Global Terrorism Index 2024 Report
Institute for Economics & Peace
This is the eleventh edition of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), which provides a comprehensive summary of the key global trends and patterns in terrorism since 2012. The GTI report is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), using data from Dragonfly’s TerrorismTracker database and other sources.
Rukhshana
Rukhshana media: Afghan women have been deprived of their identity in all personal and social dimensions for two and half years and have suffered enormous and irreparable costs. Considering this situation, for you as a human rights activist, especially women’s rights, what does March 8 in Afghanistan evoke?
Heather Barr: March 8 in Afghanistan this year cannot be anything but a day of mourning.
THE WEEKLY WTF
A mullah, named Moazullah, of a mosque in the village of Pai Kemer Yar Foulad, Firozkoh City, Ghor province used a knife to cut off the ear of a child, who appears to be 5-7 years old, for failing to read his lessons properly.
The Taliban are failing boys too. Closing public schools or encouraging madrassas as a replacement to school risks boys' education and physical safety.
