All incidents
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Taliban forces ambushed an NRF convoy in the northern Salang area as it traveled from Panjshir toward Andarab, Baghlan. Senior NRF commander Hasib Panjshiri and
Taliban forces ambushed an NRF convoy in the northern Salang area as it traveled from Panjshir toward Andarab, Baghlan. Senior NRF commander Hasib Panjshiri and at least four other fighters were killed in the clash; the fate of three additional fighters remains unknown. The NRF's political leadership confirmed Panjshiri's death.
HR-LIFE-02 ICCPR Art. 6; IHLTaliban morality police detained a woman and several other women/girls while they were shopping in Herat's Jebrail area. The father of one detainee reported tha
Taliban morality police detained a woman and several other women/girls while they were shopping in Herat's Jebrail area. The father of one detainee reported that Taliban authorities demanded money and two guarantors for release, and that some women remained in custody for days because their families could not meet these conditions. The detainee was reportedly wearing a long coat and observing hijab requirements at the time of arrest.
HR-DET-01HR-SGBV-01 ICCPR Art. 9; UDHR Art. 9Eleven professors from the Faculty of Medicine at Herat University formally resigned on August 20, 2026, citing insulting and degrading treatment by the Taliban
Eleven professors from the Faculty of Medicine at Herat University formally resigned on August 20, 2026, citing insulting and degrading treatment by the Taliban's Morality Police, including the imprisonment of professors for having short beards. The Taliban Morality Police had also previously detained several UN staff members in Herat for the same reason. Separately, students at Sheikh Zayed University in Khost were expelled from university dormitories for not having beards. The resignations significantly impact medical education in Herat province.
HR-TORT-02HR-DET-01HR-WMN-02HR-MIN-01 ICCPR Art. 7A bombing near a school in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul's 18th police district injured approximately 42 children. The incident drew condemnation from the US
A bombing near a school in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul's 18th police district injured approximately 42 children. The incident drew condemnation from the US, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, UN agencies, and the Muslim World League. The US State Department confirmed awareness of the attack and said an investigation is underway. No perpetrator has been identified.
HR-LIFE-02HR-CHILD-02 ICCPR Art. 6; IHLOn August 17, 2026, unidentified assailants threw multiple grenades into the compound of the Sham-e-Hedayat private school in Dasht-e-Barchi, western Kabul — a
On August 17, 2026, unidentified assailants threw multiple grenades into the compound of the Sham-e-Hedayat private school in Dasht-e-Barchi, western Kabul — a predominantly Hazara area — wounding approximately 44 students aged 10–14, eight of them seriously. At least three required surgery. Two days later, Taliban intelligence detained four school staff members (principal, two teachers, and a security guard) for over 28 hours without publicly stated charges.
HR-LIFE-02HR-CHILD-02HR-DET-01HR-MIN-01 ICCPR Art. 6; IHLOn August 15, 2026, a Taliban Ranger vehicle transporting dozens of children for the Taliban's fifth-anniversary celebrations overturned near the Esmatullah Man
On August 15, 2026, a Taliban Ranger vehicle transporting dozens of children for the Taliban's fifth-anniversary celebrations overturned near the Esmatullah Mandi area in Spin Boldak district, Kandahar. Three children were killed and eight others were injured. The article also notes that Taliban forces compelled local residents, shopkeepers, and vendors to purchase and display Taliban flags and participate in the celebrations.
HR-LIFE-02HR-CHILD-02HR-TORT-02 ICCPR Art. 6; IHLThe mayor of Fayzabad, Badakhshan province, Habib-ur-Rahman, was killed by a magnetic IED planted in his vehicle. One companion was wounded and taken to hospita
The mayor of Fayzabad, Badakhshan province, Habib-ur-Rahman, was killed by a magnetic IED planted in his vehicle. One companion was wounded and taken to hospital. The National Resistance Front (NRF) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating they targeted the Fayzabad mayor.
HR-LIFE-01HR-LIFE-02 ICCPR Art. 6; UDHR Art. 3Taliban Morality Police arrested 18 shopkeepers in Rang-Rizan Alley, Kandahar city, on August 12, 2026. The arrests were made on charges of selling women's unde
Taliban Morality Police arrested 18 shopkeepers in Rang-Rizan Alley, Kandahar city, on August 12, 2026. The arrests were made on charges of selling women's underwear and other goods for women, and for shaving their beards — neither of which constitutes a legitimate criminal offense under international human rights law. The detentions reflect the Taliban's continued use of arbitrary morality-based enforcement against civilians engaged in lawful commerce.
HR-DET-01HR-MIN-01HR-SGBV-01 ICCPR Art. 9; UDHR Art. 9At least 4 people were killed and 1 injured in an armed clash between two families over an agricultural irrigation water dispute in Tala wa Barfak district, Bag
At least 4 people were killed and 1 injured in an armed clash between two families over an agricultural irrigation water dispute in Tala wa Barfak district, Baghlan province. Those involved fled the scene and no arrests had been made as of the report date.
HR-LIFE-02 ICCPR Art. 6; IHLSporadic armed clashes between Taliban forces and fighters loyal to dissident Taliban commander Juma Fateh continued in Nusay district, Badakhshan province, fro
Sporadic armed clashes between Taliban forces and fighters loyal to dissident Taliban commander Juma Fateh continued in Nusay district, Badakhshan province, from Tuesday night into Wednesday. Both sides reportedly suffered casualties, though no figures were confirmed. Taliban reinforcements were deployed under Mawlawi Ghulam. Fateh, a former Taliban official and ex-deputy governor of Zabul, claims command of ~10,000 fighters across Afghanistan.
HR-LIFE-02 ICCPR Art. 6; IHLLocal commander Jumakhan Fateh and his armed followers clashed with Taliban Ministry of Defense special forces in Badakhshan's Nusay district and surrounding Da
Local commander Jumakhan Fateh and his armed followers clashed with Taliban Ministry of Defense special forces in Badakhshan's Nusay district and surrounding Darwaz region for approximately one week before Fateh surrendered unconditionally. Both sides sustained casualties and some residents were forced to flee their homes. Fateh was helicoptered to Faizabad following negotiations led by Taliban army chief of staff Fasihuddin Fitrat. Disarmament of Fateh's forces was reported as a key condition of the agreement.
HR-LIFE-02HR-DISP-01 ICCPR Art. 6; IHLTwo Afghan UNAMA staff members were detained by Taliban intelligence (General Directorate of Intelligence) in Herat on 9 August 2026. UNAMA confirmed the detent
Two Afghan UNAMA staff members were detained by Taliban intelligence (General Directorate of Intelligence) in Herat on 9 August 2026. UNAMA confirmed the detentions, stating it had not been informed of any charges against the men and had been denied access to them. UNAMA called on the Taliban to respect UN privileges and immunities.
HR-DET-01HR-DET-02 ICCPR Art. 9; UDHR Art. 9Civil society activist Ehsan Sadat, linked to the Pashtun Protection Movement, was arrested by Taliban intelligence forces in Khost province approximately four
Civil society activist Ehsan Sadat, linked to the Pashtun Protection Movement, was arrested by Taliban intelligence forces in Khost province approximately four days before August 11, 2026. He was severely tortured and fell into a coma; his condition remains critical. His family confirmed the arrest but the reason for detention is unknown. The Taliban have not commented.
HR-TORT-01HR-DET-01HR-DET-02 CAT Art. 1; ICCPR Art. 7; UDHR Art. 5More than 130 Hazara and Shiite university students were denied dormitory access at Balkh University and Herat University beginning August 6, 2026. University o
More than 130 Hazara and Shiite university students were denied dormitory access at Balkh University and Herat University beginning August 6, 2026. University officials explicitly cited the students' Hazara ethnicity and Shiite religious affiliation as grounds for rejection. Some students signed withdrawal forms and left university, as dormitory access is essential for students traveling from distant provinces. The incident raises serious concerns about ethnicity- and religion-based discrimination in access to higher education services under Taliban rule.
HR-MIN-01HR-WMN-02 ICCPR Art. 26, 27; CERDMultiple Kabul drivers report that Taliban members systematically extort money from them by seizing car keys and documents under the pretext of stopping in unau
Multiple Kabul drivers report that Taliban members systematically extort money from them by seizing car keys and documents under the pretext of stopping in unauthorized locations, returning them only upon payment. Drivers also describe arbitrary taxes, paint-uniformity fees, and daily/monthly cash collections, while the absence of designated passenger stops — deliberately maintained, drivers allege — is used as an ongoing pretext for extortion. The coercion, combined with reduced income and rising costs, has made earning a livelihood extremely difficult for drivers and their families.
HR-ESC-01HR-TORT-02HR-DISP-01 ICESCR Art. 11, 12Taliban morality police arrested 10 women in Lashkar Gah, Helmand, for not wearing a burqa despite being in Islamic dress. Their whereabouts remain unknown. Sep
Taliban morality police arrested 10 women in Lashkar Gah, Helmand, for not wearing a burqa despite being in Islamic dress. Their whereabouts remain unknown. Separately, two female students were detained in Herat while traveling to a private educational center. A former detainee described systematic physical and psychological abuse inside Taliban detention facilities. Taliban officials denied the arrests.
HR-DET-01HR-SGBV-01HR-TORT-01 ICCPR Art. 9; UDHR Art. 9Taliban morality police arrested 10 women in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, following a verbal confrontation with enforcers from the Ministry for the Propagatio
Taliban morality police arrested 10 women in Lashkar Gah, Helmand province, following a verbal confrontation with enforcers from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Local sources, including two journalists, described this as the first reported detention of women in the province under the Taliban's latest enforcement campaign.
HR-DET-01HR-SGBV-01HR-MIN-01 ICCPR Art. 9; UDHR Art. 9Taliban morality police detained at least nine women in Herat city over two days, arresting them in the 64-Meter area, Marmar Market, and Bakrabad neighborhoods
Taliban morality police detained at least nine women in Herat city over two days, arresting them in the 64-Meter area, Marmar Market, and Bakrabad neighborhoods despite the women wearing Islamic head coverings. Residents report women are increasingly afraid to leave their homes due to harassment and intimidation. Former detainees describe prolonged detention, psychological abuse, isolation from family, and denial of legal representation. Separately, female doctors in Panjshir were reportedly ordered to wear a burqa or be barred from work. The detentions are part of a broader enforcement campaign; at least 30 women were detained in Herat in June 2026 over similar dress-code allegations.
HR-DET-01HR-SGBV-01HR-MIN-01HR-TORT-01HR-ESC-01 ICCPR Art. 9; UDHR Art. 9Taliban security forces reportedly opened fire on protesters in Yeftal-e-Pain district, Badakhshan, killing an estimated 3–4 people and wounding at least 7. The
Taliban security forces reportedly opened fire on protesters in Yeftal-e-Pain district, Badakhshan, killing an estimated 3–4 people and wounding at least 7. The protest was triggered by the alleged search of a woman at a Taliban checkpoint in the Sang Ab area. Casualty figures remain unverified and are disputed by Taliban authorities.
HR-EXPR-01HR-LIFE-02HR-SGBV-01 ICCPR Art. 19; UDHR Art. 19Taliban police killed 11 people in Kabul in less than 10 days. The Taliban claimed all victims were armed robbers, but relatives dispute this — one victim, Ali,
Taliban police killed 11 people in Kabul in less than 10 days. The Taliban claimed all victims were armed robbers, but relatives dispute this — one victim, Ali, was a young street vendor (~20-21 years old) from the Dasht-e-Barchi area of western Kabul who supported his family. The UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan called for prompt and impartial investigations into the killings.
HR-LIFE-01HR-LIFE-02 ICCPR Art. 6; UDHR Art. 3Armed clashes between the Bori Khail tribe (Khost, Spira district) and the Giyan Khail tribe (Paktika, Giyan district) over a disputed mountainous area entered
Armed clashes between the Bori Khail tribe (Khost, Spira district) and the Giyan Khail tribe (Paktika, Giyan district) over a disputed mountainous area entered a fourth consecutive day on 3 August 2026. Both sides reportedly used light and heavy weapons, including mortars. At least two people were injured in the current round of fighting. Shelling damaged at least two houses in Gelay village, Giyan district. Taliban forces were deployed to the area to prevent further escalation. The underlying land and resource dispute is reported to span nearly 80 years, with historical casualties estimated at around 250 by some local sources — figures that could not be independently verified.
HR-LIFE-02HR-DISP-01 ICCPR Art. 6; IHLSix male staff members of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF), an Afghan NGO, were detained by Taliban in Kabul on July 18, 2026, after bei
Six male staff members of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF), an Afghan NGO, were detained by Taliban in Kabul on July 18, 2026, after being instructed to return to their office to collect previously confiscated laptops and phones. Taliban has since refused to disclose their whereabouts, condition, or any charges against them for nearly a month, constituting enforced disappearance under international law. A prior Taliban raid on the office had occurred on June 21, 2026. Human Rights Watch called for their immediate release.
HR-DET-02HR-DET-01HR-EXPR-01 ICPPED; ICCPR Art. 9Taliban forces raided the office of the Women's and Children's Rights Research Organization in Kabul, arbitrarily detaining six staff members and confiscating e
Taliban forces raided the office of the Women's and Children's Rights Research Organization in Kabul, arbitrarily detaining six staff members and confiscating equipment. As of August 7, 2026 — 21 days after the detention — no charges had been brought against any of the detainees. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett publicly called for their immediate release.
HR-DET-01HR-EXPR-01HR-DISP-01 ICCPR Art. 9; UDHR Art. 9Taliban morality police detained a man's daughter and several other women while they were shopping in Herat's Jebrail area, despite the daughter reportedly comp
Taliban morality police detained a man's daughter and several other women while they were shopping in Herat's Jebrail area, despite the daughter reportedly complying with dress code requirements. Taliban initially denied holding the women, then demanded 30,000 afghanis (~$450) and two guarantors for release. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to 20,000 afghanis. Women whose families could not pay were kept in detention for several days. Detainees reported being subjected to intimidation. Activists separately allege serious abuses — including psychological torture, forced confessions, and rape — against women held in Taliban custody in Herat. The Taliban spokesperson denied the allegations.
HR-DET-01HR-SGBV-01HR-TORT-01 ICCPR Art. 9; UDHR Art. 9Taliban authorities raided the Kabul office of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) on June 21, 2026, confiscating devices and sealing the p
Taliban authorities raided the Kabul office of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) on June 21, 2026, confiscating devices and sealing the premises. On July 18, 2026, six male staff members were summoned back to the office under the pretext of collecting their confiscated devices and were instead taken into custody. Families have received no information on their whereabouts, condition, or charges — constituting enforced disappearance under international law. Human Rights Watch called for their immediate release.
HR-DET-02HR-DET-01HR-EXPR-01 ICPPED; ICCPR Art. 9Taliban authorities detained at least three journalists in Afghanistan during the week of 15 May 2026 on unspecified charges. UNAMA expressed serious concern, c
Taliban authorities detained at least three journalists in Afghanistan during the week of 15 May 2026 on unspecified charges. UNAMA expressed serious concern, citing additional reports of threats, assaults, and property confiscation targeting journalists. The detentions occurred against a backdrop of a severe malnutrition crisis affecting nearly five million mothers and children, compounded by mass returnees from Pakistan and Iran and acute humanitarian funding shortfalls.
HR-EXPR-01HR-DET-01 ICCPR Art. 19; UDHR Art. 19The Taliban's Ministry of Justice, on August 3, 2026, ordered immediate enforcement of a Special Court ruling declaring 1,507.49 jeribs of land in Kabul's Omid-
The Taliban's Ministry of Justice, on August 3, 2026, ordered immediate enforcement of a Special Court ruling declaring 1,507.49 jeribs of land in Kabul's Omid-e-Sabz Township to be state property. The ruling, originally issued on April 20, invalidates all private sales and transactions, potentially displacing thousands of families — many from the Hazara community — who purchased homes and plots through documented private transactions. Residents have been directed to seek compensation from original sellers rather than the state, and the Commission for the Prevention of Land Grabbing has been instructed to implement the decision without delay. Critics have raised concerns about transparency, lack of impartial judicial review, and possible ethnic targeting.
HR-DISP-01HR-MIN-01 ICCPR Art. 12; ICESCR Art. 11A UNAMA monitoring report covering April–June 2026 documents sweeping, systematic discrimination and rights violations against women, minorities, former officia
A UNAMA monitoring report covering April–June 2026 documents sweeping, systematic discrimination and rights violations against women, minorities, former officials, journalists, and religious communities across Afghanistan. Key findings include: at least 30 women arrested in Herat for "improper hijab"; shopkeepers penalized for serving unaccompanied women (Logar); female teachers barred from schools for not wearing a chador (Herat); women excluded from all university entrance exams nationwide; a new judicial decree implicitly sanctioning child marriage and restricting divorce; 389 documented arbitrary arrests and detentions; 137 incidents of judicial corporal punishment including public floggings; 8 killings and 5 torture incidents targeting former security force members; a deadly attack on civilians at a Shia shrine in Herat killing 12 and injuring 14; closures of Ismaili places of worship in Badakhshan; restrictions on Shia Ashura commemorations; and multiple journalist detentions and media outlet closures. A former Afghan National Army officer reportedly disappeared on the same day he was forcibly returned to Afghanistan from Iran.
HR-MIN-01HR-DET-01HR-TORT-01HR-WMN-02HR-LIFE-02HR-LIFE-01HR-EXPR-01HR-SGBV-01 ICCPR Art. 26, 27; CERDOn August 10, 2022, Mahmood Shah Habibi, a US citizen and former head of Afghanistan's civil aviation authority, was taken from his vehicle in Kabul by Taliban
On August 10, 2022, Mahmood Shah Habibi, a US citizen and former head of Afghanistan's civil aviation authority, was taken from his vehicle in Kabul by Taliban intelligence (General Directorate of Intelligence). His driver and 29 other employees of Asia Consultancy Group were also detained. The Taliban have consistently denied holding Habibi and have provided no information about his condition or whereabouts. On the fourth anniversary of his disappearance (August 10, 2026), the FBI, US officials, and his family renewed calls for his return. At least one other employee from the telecommunications company is also reportedly still in Taliban custody. The case remains unresolved.
HR-DET-02HR-DET-01HR-TORT-02 ICPPED; ICCPR Art. 9The record is what reached us and passed review. Thin coverage in a province reflects reporting conditions and access as much as the underlying situation, and absence of incidents is not evidence of absence of violations. No figure here is a national total.