Afghanistan: Alleged rape by Taliban members must be investigated and prosecuted immediately
Amnesty International has previously documented the grave danger faced by women in Afghanistan today in the report,
Responding to reports in local media yesterday on the alleged horrific rape of a woman and her two minor daughters in Sar-i-Pul province in Afghanistan on the night of 28 February 2023, Zaman Sultani, regional researcher for South Asia at Amnesty International, said:
“The emerging details of the gang rape of a woman and her daughters allegedly by members of the Taliban are a horrific new low in the abysmal record of human rights violations witnessed in today’s Afghanistan. The Taliban as the de facto authorities must condemn the incident and immediately launch an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations. The perpetrators must be prosecuted and punished as per international human rights law and standards in fair trials and without recourse to the death penalty.
The Taliban as the de facto authorities must condemn the incident and immediately launch an independent, transparent and impartial investigation into the allegations.
Zaman Sultani, regional researcher for South Asia at Amnesty International
“Since they seized power in August 2021, the Taliban have violated women’s and girls’ rights and decimated the system of protection and support for those fleeing violence; such the Ministry of Women Affairs (MoWA), Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and the Law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) as also the specialized prosecution units and courts dealt with cases involving violence against women and girls.
The emerging details of the gang rape of a woman and her daughters allegedly by members of the Taliban are a horrific new low in the abysmal record of human rights violations witnessed in today’s Afghanistan.
Zaman Sultani
“The fresh allegation of sexual violence perpetuated by members of the Taliban raise concerns and yet again drive home the need for swift action by the de facto authorities to investigate abuses, bring those responsible to account through fair trial in a civilian court without the recourse to capital punishment. At the same time, survivors of sexual violence must be provided with access to justice, healthcare and support services, and effective and holistic reparations that are proportional to the gravity of the harm suffered.”
Background:
The alleged rape took place on the night of 28 February 2023 at Khanaqah village, Suzma Qalah District of Sar-i-Pul province in Afghanistan. As per the victim’s account in a video shared in local media, the incident took place when the survivors were alone in the house and allegedly two Taliban members forced their way into the house at 11pm.
Amnesty International has previously documented the grave danger faced by women in Afghanistan today in the report, ‘Death in slow motion.’