Donald Trump
Khaama: Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused the Trump administration of pursuing policies toward Afghan refugees that contradict the US State Department’s own findings on human rights conditions in Afghanistan. The State Department’s 2024 annual human rights report, released Tuesday, cites credible evidence of widespread abuses under Taliban rule, including arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings, and severe restrictions on women, civil liberties, and free speech. It concludes that Afghanistan remains a “dangerous” place. Despite these assessments, HRW says Washington is ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of Afghan refugees—protection granted to individuals whose return would be unsafe due to conflict, repression, or disasters. Click here to read more (external link).
Amu: The US State Department, in its annual Country Report on Human Rights Practices, says Afghanistan under Taliban rule saw “widespread disregard for the rule of law and official impunity” for those responsible for abuses, as well as a “significant deterioration” in women’s rights due to restrictive edicts. The department says the Taliban have further restricted women’s access to education, employment and freedom of movement, “effectively removing them from public spaces.” While the Taliban have not formally changed laws enacted before their takeover in August 2021, the State Department says they have issued “laws” and edicts that contradict existing legislation and violate Afghanistan’s international obligations. 
8am: Sources in Taloqan say that for over 40 days, several pharmacies have been closed under the pretext of inspections. According to these sources, some pharmacies have reopened through mediation or connections with local Taliban authorities, while others have been forced to clear out their stock, contributing to rising unemployment in the province. Sources further claim that the Taliban intend to shut down these pharmacies to pave the way for opening pharmacies linked to their associates. The sources add: “The Taliban want to close pharmacies to force owners to obtain licenses, even though they already hold licenses. They plan to sell these licenses to pharmacy owners. Additionally, some Taliban members own pharmaceutical trading companies and aim to sell their medicines to doctors through these pharmacies.” 
Afghanistan International: Residents of eastern Nangarhar province who were displaced by Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) fighting under the former Afghan republic say the Taliban have failed to deliver on promises to rebuild their destroyed homes, and infrastructure. Civilians from Haska Mina, Achin, Spin Ghar, Kot, Naziyan and Dur Baba districts told Afghanistan International that clashes during the previous government left their homes, roads, farmland, mosques and health centres in ruins. Many remain without shelter nearly four years later. 
Khaama: Afghan migrants in Pakistan allege police are demanding bribes for release after arrests, with detainees reporting payments of large sums despite holding valid or pending immigration documents. Witnesses claim police often operate in plain clothes on motorcycles, demanding passports and visas. If documents are not produced, uniformed officers reportedly arrive in vehicles to make arrests. 
