The CIVICUS Monitor has released a stark warning about escalating repression in Afghanistan, where the Taliban government is intensifying its crackdown on activists and journalists, particularly those advocating for women’s rights. The report documents a growing pattern of arrests, intimidation, and censorship as the Taliban solidifies its grip on power and imposes increasingly restrictive measures on women.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has systematically rolled back women’s rights, banning girls from secondary education, limiting women’s access to workplaces, and enforcing strict dress codes. CIVICUS Monitor’s findings reveal that individuals and groups resisting these policies have faced severe consequences, including harassment, detention, and threats to their safety.
The report highlights cases of prominent women’s rights advocates who have been detained without due process for organizing peaceful protests or voicing opposition to the Taliban’s policies. Journalists, particularly women, have been targeted for reporting on these issues. Media organizations face sweeping censorship, and many journalists constantly fear reprisal.
“The space for civil society and independent journalism is shrinking rapidly,” said the report. “The Taliban’s actions are part of a deliberate strategy to silence dissent and consolidate control, especially over women’s lives.”
The CIVICUS Monitor classifies Afghanistan’s civic space as “closed,” the most severe designation in its rating system. This status reflects a total absence of democratic freedoms, where activists and media professionals operate under extreme risks.
The international community has condemned the Taliban’s policies, with organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International calling for urgent intervention. However, Afghan activists caution that diplomatic efforts and economic sanctions have had limited impact on reversing the repression.
CIVICUS Monitor urges global stakeholders to take stronger action, including supporting Afghan civil society through safe channels, increasing protections for at-risk journalists, and maintaining pressure on the Taliban to respect human rights.
Despite the challenges, some activists continue their work despite the risks. The report quoted a women’s rights advocate as saying, “We will not be silenced. The world needs to know what is happening here.”
The CIVICUS Monitor report underscores the urgent need for sustained global attention as Afghanistan’s civil space erodes, leaving little room for freedom of expression or advocacy.
