Canberra, Australia – The Australian government has imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four Afghan officials, citing concerns over the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly regarding women and girls.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the sanctions on Saturday, targeting three ministers within the Afghan government and the Chief Justice of the Taliban movement. The Australian government accuses them of restricting girls’ and women’s access to education, employment, freedom of movement, and the ability to participate in public life.
According to Minister Wong, these measures are part of a newly established framework that enables the Australian government to directly impose sanctions and travel bans to increase pressure on the current Afghan administration. This framework reflects Australia’s commitment to upholding human rights globally.
Australia was among several nations that withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021, ending its participation in the NATO-led international force that had trained Afghan security forces and combatted the Taliban for two decades. Since the Taliban’s resurgence, Western governments have repeatedly criticized the group for imposing restrictions on the rights and freedoms of women and girls, including banning education and employment opportunities.
The Taliban maintains that it respects women’s rights, adhering to its interpretation of Islamic law and local customs. However, these interpretations often clash with international human rights standards.
DZWatch has learned that Australia has welcomed thousands of evacuees, primarily women and children, from Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover. A significant portion of the Afghan population now relies on humanitarian aid for survival, highlighting the ongoing challenges within the war-torn nation.
