We, the undersigned—women protesters, civil and political activists, human rights defenders, academics, and representatives of ethnic and religious minorities—issue this statement on the fourth anniversary of Afghanistan’s fall to the terrorist Taliban regime, expressing deep concern over the catastrophic state of our country and the growing trend of legitimizing this group.
Four Years of Darkness and Systematic Human Rights Violations
Since the Taliban’s return to power, women have been completely excluded from education, employment, and public life. Children have been subjected to extremist indoctrination. Dozens of regional and global terrorist groups operate freely inside Afghanistan. Freedom of expression has been crushed; dissenting voices are silenced through arrest, enforced disappearance, or extrajudicial killing. Ethnic and religious minorities face structural discrimination, forced displacement, land grabbing, and systematic violence. Millions have been forced to flee, many living in extreme poverty under the constant threat of deportation.
Crimes Against Humanity and Gender Apartheid
According to the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Taliban policies—including gender apartheid, ethnic and religious persecution, and targeted violence—constitute crimes against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
A Warning to Governments
Any engagement, cooperation, or normalization of relations with the Taliban is tantamount to legitimizing their crimes and constitutes a breach of international obligations. Such actions make governments complicit in sustaining a terrorist regime.
Our Demands
- No government should recognize the Taliban, and this group must remain on the list of designated terrorist organizations.
- International courts must prosecute Taliban leaders for gender apartheid and crimes against humanity.
- Democratic states must formally acknowledge the Taliban’s crimes and ensure justice and legal accountability.
- All financial support to Taliban leaders must cease, and humanitarian aid to Afghanistan must be delivered through transparent and accountable mechanisms.
- No forced return of Afghan refugees—host countries must adopt migration policies that protect children, women, and activists.
- Initiate an inclusive political process with the Afghan people and civil society to establish a transitional, representative government.
Final Message
Recognizing the Taliban means endorsing gender apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. History will not forget those who remained silent—or those who stood with the perpetrators.
#DontRecognizeTaliban
