(Bangkok, 29 September 2023) –  The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) is calling for the immediate release of human rights defenders detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan, namely, Zholia Parsi, Neda Parwani, Matiullah Wesa, Rasul Abdi Parsi, and Mortaza Behboodi. On 27 September 2023, the Taliban reportedly arrested women’s rights defender Zholia [ Read more ]

54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Oral statement delivered by Sara Nabil On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) 11 September 2023   Mr. President, In Afghanistan, history is repeating in the [ Read more ]

54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on OHCHR report on Afghanistan Oral statement delivered by Hafizullah Saeedi On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) 12 September 2023   Mr. President, We welcome the High Commissioner’s report. The people of Afghanistan under Taliban’s brutal rule [ Read more ]

To: Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council Dear Excellencies, We, the undersigned organisations, take this opportunity to write to you regarding the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan and the urgent need for accountability for gross and systematic human rights violations and abuses, including crimes under international [ Read more ]

The undersigned human rights organisations across Asia are in solidarity with  the people of Afghanistan. We call on the international community to hold the Taliban accountable for their human rights violations; to protect  the vulnerable groups; and to defend fundamental freedoms, especially those of women, girls, and ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan. For two [ Read more ]

(Bangkok, 4 August 2023) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) calls for urgent and concerted international action to protect Afghanistan’s Shia and Hazara community. The Shia community of Afghanistan—whose members are predominantly Hazaras—are facing systematic discrimination, targeted attacks, marginalisation, persecution, and harsh restrictions by  the Taliban. The Taliban has imposed bans [ Read more ]

53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan and the working group on discrimination against women and girls. Oral statement delivered by Parwana Ibrahim Khail On behalf of Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) 19 [ Read more ]

  Written by: Ahmed Adam, FORUM-ASIA United Nations Advocacy Programme Manager Nearly two years after the withdrawal of international forces in Afghanistan, the United Nations and the international community appear to be running out of options on how to effectively deal with the human rights and humanitarian crises intensified by the Taliban’s return to power. [ Read more ]

  Written by: Muda Tariq, South Asia Programme Fellow, FORUM-ASIA Women in Afghanistan are up against the wall. Even in these desolate times, Afghan women have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and courage. They have bravely confronted the Taliban and its anti-women policies; they have refused to be silenced; they have taken to the streets to demand [ Read more ]