Manoeuvring through the cracks : the Afghan human rights movement under the Islamic Emirate

“For the Afghan human rights movement, the end of the Islamic Republic has been a catastrophe, with almost all experienced human rights defenders thrown into exile, fearing for their lives. Many have continued their human rights work from abroad, but the new rulers seem impervious to change. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) combines an austere interpretation of Islam with ultra-conservative social mores, resulting in a highly authoritarian state with laws and practices that outrage human rights defenders while simultaneously closing down space to challenge them. While the Republic had a deeply authoritarian streak, silencing criticism of its own human rights abuses and corruption, it was relatively permissive compared to the Emirate’s autocratic rule. For most Afghan human rights defenders, working openly in Afghanistan is no longer possible, to document, monitor, campaign, or advocate directly with the authorities. Despite this, a new wave of women’s rights defenders emerged in spontaneous protests around the country, while other Afghans have found more clandestine or creative ways to work, just as older generations did through multiple eras of repressive governments. AAN’s Rachel Reid has been speaking to human rights defenders about adaptation and survival in the new era.”