Taliban Rejects Human Rights Criticism, Accuses West of Double Standards

DID Press: Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban’s acting minister for the propagation of virtue and prevention of vice, has accused Western countries of applying “double standards” on human rights and said those responsible for violations elsewhere are now accusing Afghanistan of rights abuses.

Speaking at a meeting with officials of the ministry, Hanafi criticized international criticism of the Taliban’s human rights record, claiming that countries involved in wars, killings, and widespread rights violations have no legitimacy to raise such concerns against Afghanistan.

He said such accusations do not reflect what he described as the realities on the ground and rejected the criticism as politically motivated.

Hanafi also outlined the Taliban’s view of governance, saying that the world belongs to God and that only an Islamic system has the legitimacy to rule. He described Islam as the final divine religion and the solution to humanity’s challenges.

The remarks come as the Taliban government continues to face criticism from international organizations and human rights groups over the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, particularly restrictions imposed on women and girls. The Taliban has repeatedly rejected these accusations, describing them as political pressure from Western countries.