By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi August 8, 2024 Fawad was already reeling from the deadly earthquake that struck western Afghanistan in October and severely damaged his home and crops. But the Taliban dealt the small-scale farmer from the western Herat Province another crippling financial blow. Fawad, who grows lentils and wheat, was recently forced to pay “ushr,”
8am: Several Persian-speaking employees in government offices in the country have raised complaints about language discrimination by their superiors, many of whom are affiliated with the Taliban. They claim that their job security is jeopardized due to linguistic discrimination and that they could be dismissed at any time by the Taliban. These long-serving government employees
8am: In conversations with the Hasht-e Subh Daily, many citizens confirm that the Taliban’s administrative, financial, and sexual corruption has unprecedentedly increased and is rarely reported due to the repressive atmosphere. They claim that the squandering of public assets, particularly the country’s mines, has peaked, sounding the alarm for plunder. Moreover, the Taliban shot a
8am: Some residents of Nimruz province report that armed robberies have increased dramatically in recent times, with thieves brazenly stealing people’s property. They emphasize that thieves, under cover of night, forcibly take people’s belongings near Taliban checkpoints and security zones. According to them, despite the Taliban’s claim of ensuring overall security and improving the economic
Afghanistan International: Amnesty International’s recent report has highlighted the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan. The organisation has pointed out severe repression and violations suffered by the Afghan people, with a particular emphasis on violence and discrimination against ethnic groups, notably the Hazaras. Released on Tuesday, April 23, the report also mentioned the Taliban’s policies
8am: As Eid al-Fitr approaches in Afghanistan, many families find themselves without bread on their tables and facing severe unemployment that threatens their livelihoods. Blistering poverty, along with political and economic crises, has pushed them to the brink of despair. For most, purchasing power has dwindled, with little sign of the joyous celebrations of past
8am: It’s evening, and the last rays of sunlight, casting an orange hue across the canvas of paintings that have now changed their colors and mood, are spreading. Sitting amidst a multitude of paintings, she gazes sorrowfully at her artistic creations. On one hand, she worries about the darkening sky, and on the other, she
Ariana: Since 2012, Afghanistan has ranked among the most unhappy nations in the world. However, Finland has been the happiest country in the world for seven consecutive years. The survey asks people in 143 countries and territories to evaluate their life on a scale from zero to 10, taking into account factors such as GDP
HRW: “The situation is getting worse every day,” Ahmad, a former journalist in Herat, Afghanistan, told me. “I don’t think anyone can afford to buy enough food anymore.” According to the United Nations, in 2024, 23.7 million people – more than half of the country’s population – will need humanitarian assistance. The statistics are startling: