IN PICS | A Glimpse At Life Under Taliban Rule In Afghanistan In 2023

The Taliban's goal since seizing control of the Republic of Afghanistan has been to seek recognition for the Shariah-based Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, which it has just created (or is in the midst of creating). (Image Source: AFP)

After assuming power in August 2021, the Taliban persisted in enforcing a number of laws and regulations that violated the fundamental rights of women and girls, including the freedom to move around, the right to work and a means of subsistence, and access to education and healthcare. (Image Source: AFP)

Authorities also intimidated or repressed members of the media and Taliban opponents, forced civil society organisations to shut down, and demolished government buildings tasked with upholding or promoting human rights. (Image Source: AFP)

According to the World Report 2023, Taliban security forces carried out arbitrary detentions, torture, and summary executions of former security officers and perceived enemies throughout the year, including former government security personnel or alleged members or supporters of the armed group Islamic State of Khorasan Province (the Afghan affiliate of the Islamic State, known as ISKP). (Image Source: AFP)

ISKP carried out school and mosque attacks, primarily on ethnic Hazara Shia Muslims. Afghanistan's penal law criminalises same-sex behaviour, and the Taliban have reinforced the previous government's support for same-sex criminalization, with some of their officials threatening to take a harsh position against the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, the report said. (Image Source: AFP)

A deepening economic crisis persisted in 2022, fueled by several factors such as massive cuts in donor assistance in 2021 and corresponding wage cuts for essential workers; a massive liquidity crisis; spiking prices for essential goods such as food; and restrictions imposed by external governments on the banking sector, as stated in the report. (Image Source: AFP)

According to the report, millions of children still are suffering from acute malnutrition. Throughout the year, more than 90% of Afghans were food insecure. Women and girls were particularly hard struck by the economic crisis for a variety of reasons, including Taliban measures that forced many women out of paid work and prevented female relief workers from performing their duties. (Image Source: AFP)

Since assuming power, the Taliban have imposed a long and growing list of rules and policies that comprehensively prevent women and girls from exercising their fundamental rights, including the right to express themselves, move freely, work, and educate themselves, affecting virtually all of their rights, including the right to life, livelihood, shelter, health care, food, and water. (Image Source: AFP)