Taliban Dissolves Afghanistan’s Human Rights Commission, Calls It ‘Unnecessary’

Mumbai: Taliban authorities in Afghanistan dissolved five key departments, including the country’s Human Rights Commission and the National Security Council, calling them “unnecessary”.

The revelation comes amid a massive financial crunch, mere days after the Taliban-led government announced its first annual national budget since taking over.

The High Council for National Reconciliation (HCNR), the once-high-powered National Security Council and the commission overseeing the implementation of the Afghan constitution, were also dissolved. According to a Reuters report quoting government officials, the organisations in question could be revived at a later date “if needed”.

“Since these departments were not deemed essential and were not included in the budget, they have been dissolved,” said Innamullah Samangani, a Taliban government deputy. Afghanistan is facing a budget deficit of 44 billion Afghans ($50.1 million) this fiscal year.

Since returning to power in August last year, the Taliban have made a number of controversial moves that have sparked international outrage. Despite assurances that he would be more moderate in his administration this time (the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001), he has yet to allow older girls to resume education and has introduced rules such as In which women and girls are required to wear the veil and have male relatives in public places with them.

Meanwhile, UN chief Antonio Guterres claimed last week during a human rights conference that terrorism was resurgent in Afghanistan and could become a global threat.

“As a moral duty, a legal obligation, and a strategic imperative, let’s put human rights where they belong — front and centre — in the fight against terror,” he was quoted as saying.

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