People’s Tribunal for Afghan Women Launched; A Voice for Justice Against the Taliban
Tawazon – As the Taliban continue to impose severe restrictions on women’s fundamental rights in Afghanistan, the People’s Tribunal for Afghan Women has been launched. Held in Madrid, Spain, from October 10 to December with support of international human rights organizations, the tribunal aims to document rights violations and hold the Taliban accountable.
The tribunal is organized by four civil society groups: The Rawadari Organization, the Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization (AHRDO), organization for Policy Research and Development Studies (DROPS), and Human Rights Defenders plus (HRD+).
According to the organizers, the court’s mission is to document systematic oppression, gender-based violence, and restrictions imposed on women and girls by the Taliban and elevate these violations to the level of international justice. The tribunal will rely on testimonies, evidence, and verified reports and seeks to attract the attention of global legal institutions.
The statement issued by the organizers confirms that the hearings will be livestreamed, featuring firsthand testimonies from Afghan women, legal experts, and survivors. A final verdict is expected to be announced in December.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 , Afghan women and girls have faced increasing restrictions that have barred them from education, employment, and participation in public life, causing widespred psychological, social, and economic challenges for families across the country. Organizers of the tribunal view this crisis as a form of systemic gender-based oppression.
Reports indicate that women are subjected to physical, psychological, and sexual violence, and are completely excluded from legal and civil participation under Taliban rule.The tribunal frames these abuses as gender-based crimes that should be prosecuted under international law.
Since August 2021, the situation for women in Afghanistan has deteriorated rapidly. The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on education, work, travel, public presence, and even the visibility of female journalists in the media.
