Rights Activists Label Taliban Policies Against Women “Cultural Genocide”

DID Press: A coalition of human rights activists has accused the Taliban of turning restrictions on women and girls into a broader system of social control, intimidation, and political leverage, describing the group’s actions as part of a campaign of “cultural genocide” in Afghanistan.

In a new statement, the alliance said Taliban policies have moved beyond discrimination and are now being used as tools of political and economic pressure on both Afghan society and the international community.

Referring to recent arrests in Herat, the group said Taliban authorities had crossed “all red lines” by carrying out operations targeting women over alleged violations of dress regulations.

According to local sources cited in the statement, Taliban forces detained women in several areas of Herat, including the Lailami market road and the Nakhodberizi area. Witnesses reported that more than 20 women were arrested in one location alone.

The organization also condemned the killing of Fereshteh Ahmadi, a United Nations employee in Kabul, arguing that the incident highlights the depth of insecurity in Afghanistan and raises concerns about the safety of even international personnel.

The statement described the Taliban’s actions as part of a “systematic attack” targeting Afghanistan’s historical, cultural, and civic identity, warning of long-term consequences for the country’s future.

The alliance further criticized efforts to engage with the Taliban on technical or political matters, including migration issues, calling such approaches a “strategic mistake” that risks normalizing what it described as a repressive regime.

The group urged the United Nations and democratic governments to move beyond expressions of concern and prioritize concrete measures, including documenting abuses, establishing accountability mechanisms, expanding targeted sanctions, and pursuing legal action against those responsible for rights violations.