Taliban Probes Death Threats Against Afghan Women UN Staff
Kabul, August 11, 2025 — The Taliban have launched an investigation into a series of death threats targeting Afghan women employed by United Nations agencies, according to a newly released UN human rights report. The threats, issued in May 2025, marked the first officially confirmed cases of direct intimidation against Afghan female UN staff since the Taliban’s return to power.
The report states that dozens of national female employees across various UN bodies, including the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), received explicit messages warning them to quit their jobs or face violence. In response, the UN implemented temporary safety measures to protect the affected staff.
Taliban Interior Ministry officials have denied any involvement, asserting that ‘no credible threats’ exist against UN employees, yet confirmed that a formal inquiry is underway.
The same UN report highlights a growing crackdown on women’s freedoms in several provinces. In Herat, women without full-body chadors were barred from markets and public transport. In Uruzgan, arrests were made for wearing a hijab instead of a burqa. In Kandahar, female healthcare workers must now be escorted by a male guardian, with official proof of relationship, to access workplaces.
Human rights observers warn that the threats reflect an increasingly hostile environment for women in Afghanistan, particularly those in visible roles. The UN has called for the Taliban to ensure the safety of all humanitarian workers, regardless of gender.
The investigation’s credibility remains under scrutiny, with international agencies urging transparent reporting and concrete action to protect female staff. For now, many affected women remain under heightened security precautions as fears of targeted violence persist.
