UNAMA Calls for Greater Transparency and Accountability in Taliban Security Forces

DID Press: UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has called for greater transparency and accountability within the Taliban’s security institutions, saying significant gaps remain despite measures introduced since August 2021 to strengthen oversight.

In a new report released Monday, UNAMA said the Taliban authorities have issued guidelines to improve discipline and oversight within the security sector, established internal monitoring mechanisms and created new bodies to investigate alleged misconduct by security personnel.

However, UNAMA said the implementation and outcomes of these measures remain insufficiently transparent. Limited information has been made publicly available about complaints filed, investigations conducted and disciplinary or judicial actions taken against security personnel.

Georgette Gagnon, the UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and acting head of UNAMA, said the lack of sufficient public information undermines public trust and weakens deterrence against misconduct.

She stressed that transparent and consistent accountability demonstrates that the law is applied equally to everyone, including officials and those in positions of authority.

UNAMA also said it had documented cases in which individuals accused of misconduct within the security forces were detained, investigated and referred to military courts for further proceedings.

The UN mission urged the Taliban to enforce professional standards of conduct among security personnel and introduce mandatory reporting mechanisms for misconduct.