Afghanistan, where freedom is 'prohibited'… Women's divorce and government employees' smartphones are also controlled

In the northern province of Jozjan of Afghanistan, an 18-year-old woman sought out the office of Azizullah Shahidi, the province's governor. She pleaded to end her marriage of several months, as her husband had physically and verbally abused her. However, Shahidi, a former Taliban commander, refused her request, citing that it would cost her "dignity and honor" under the Sharia law of the Taliban regime.

This law prohibits women from divorcing without their husband's consent. Five years after the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan following the U.S. military withdrawal in August 2021, BBC reported that the country's human rights situation had reached a dire point. The governor's reality of being denied the right to divorce highlights the oppressive rule of the Taliban.

Since their return to power, the Taliban have implemented strict interpretations of strict Islamic law, banning secondary and higher education for girls over 12, restricting women's access to public spaces and travel outside their regions, and even forbidding radio broadcasts. Now, they are also banning government employees from using smartphones.

BBC notes that conditions have worsened since their visit there two years ago. The public is outraged, but the Taliban government is silencing dissent. On February 22nd, the Taliban's Ministry of Interior officially banned all protests through a new police law. The law includes 53 provisions stating that "all protests within Afghan territory are prohibited."

Taliban police are authorized to use electric fences and tear gas to maintain public order. The economic crisis in Afghanistan is also worsening. No country other than Russia officially recognizes the Taliban government, leading to increased international isolation. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) jointly warned in a statement on August 8th that Afghanistan is facing a severe food crisis exacerbated by climate change and the highest number of refugees.

The Intersessional Coordination Council (IRC) reported on February that the five-year drought has caused a severe famine, affecting around 470,000 people. The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is dire, with public services collapsing and little to no resources to respond. The acting representative of the Afghan Institute of International Structures in Pakistan stated that the food crisis in Afghanistan is the worst on record, and the international community has reduced aid needed for the crisis, making it their most challenging time in 40 years of service.