KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban leaders gathered in Kabul on Saturday to mark five years since their return to power, presenting their rule as an era of greater security and an end to decades of war. At the same time, a senior United Nations official warned that Afghanistan is experiencing a severe and continuing human rights crisis.
The Taliban took control of Afghanistan on Aug. 15, 2021, as U.S. and NATO forces completed their withdrawal after nearly 20 years of military involvement. The departure triggered scenes of chaos at Kabul’s airport, where thousands of Afghans attempted to leave the country.
Five years later, Taliban officials are highlighting what they describe as improved security, infrastructure development and economic activity. But the government remains internationally isolated, with Russia currently the only country to have formally recognized the Taliban administration.
Taliban Celebrates Return to Power
Senior Taliban officials, foreign representatives and thousands of Afghan citizens attended a ceremony at Kabul’s traditional Loya Jirga assembly hall.
Taliban representatives described the 2021 takeover as the end of foreign occupation and emphasized their stated goal of maintaining peace, stability and national independence under a government based on Islamic law.
Similar celebrations were held in several Afghan provinces, with Taliban flags and pro-government messages displayed along roads and in public areas.
No women were present at the main ceremony.
UN Warns of Worsening Human Rights Situation
Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, used the anniversary to raise concerns over the country’s treatment of women, girls and other vulnerable groups.
Bennett said the end of large-scale warfare has not necessarily resulted in genuine peace and warned that human rights conditions have continued to deteriorate.
He pointed to reports of arbitrary detention, torture, extrajudicial killings, corporal punishment, enforced disappearances and restrictions on freedom of expression. Journalists, human rights defenders and minority communities have also faced significant pressure, according to the UN official.
Bennett further urged the international community not to normalize Taliban policies, arguing that doing so could weaken pressure for improvements in human rights.
Women and Girls Remain at the Center of Concerns
One of the most significant changes under Taliban rule has been the restriction of education and employment opportunities for women and girls.
Girls are barred from continuing secondary education beyond the sixth grade, while women have also been excluded from universities. Additional restrictions limit women’s access to gyms, parks, sports and travel without a male guardian.
UNESCO estimates that around 2.4 million Afghan girls have been excluded from secondary education.
UN Women has warned that the restrictions could have long-term consequences for Afghanistan, including shortages of qualified teachers, doctors, nurses and midwives. The organization says these restrictions threaten both the country’s social development and economic future.
Taliban Defends Its Record
Taliban officials maintain that their government has made progress despite continuing international pressure and economic challenges.
In an interview, Taliban deputy information and culture minister Molvi Hayatullah Mahajar Farahi said the administration had improved security, developed infrastructure and created employment opportunities during its five years in power.
When questioned about restrictions on women’s and girls’ education, however, Farahi did not directly address the issue. He instead highlighted investment in Afghanistan’s universities.
Afghanistan at a Critical Crossroads
The fifth anniversary of the Taliban’s return to power highlights a sharp divide between the government’s portrayal of its achievements and international criticism of its human rights record.
While Taliban authorities emphasize security and an end to the country’s prolonged conflict, UN officials continue to call for greater protection of fundamental rights, particularly for women and girls.
The international community now faces a difficult balance between engaging with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities and maintaining pressure over policies that have left millions of Afghans facing restrictions on education, employment and public participation.
