Marking a milestone, the Taliban government celebrated five years since seizing control of Afghanistan with a series of public festivities and military parades.
However, the occasion was overshadowed by the relentless humanitarian crisis and mounting accusations of severe women’s rights violations, spotlighted by Australia, the United Nations, and leading human rights organizations.
In the capital city of Kabul, the streets were lined with the white flags of the Islamic Emirate, mingling with the sight of U.S. military vehicles left behind following the tumultuous withdrawal in 2021.
The Taliban organized sports events — notably excluding female participants — as part of their commemorative activities, claiming that their leadership has introduced a new era of national security and economic progress.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief spokesman for the Taliban government, assured that the regime is laying the “foundations of the economy”, while urging the international community for continued patience.
However, World Bank data shows declining per capita GDP, exacerbated by the return of over six million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan over the past three years.
Australian government cites ongoing obligation
In a joint statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Immigration Minister Tony Burke acknowledged the milestone while reaffirming Australia’s commitment to holding the Taliban accountable.
“Five years on from the fall of Kabul, our thoughts are with the people of Afghanistan, who continue to face violent repression at the hands of the Taliban, as well as the Afghan community in Australia and around the world,” the statement read.
The government leaders honored the service of more than 39,000 Australian Defence Force and civilian personnel who served in Afghanistan over two decades, remembering the 41 soldiers who died during operations and those lost after returning home.
The statement noted that Australia has provided $310 million in direct aid through non-government channels since September 2021, while establishing an autonomous sanctions framework against senior Taliban figures and backing international action under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
“Australia has not stepped back from that responsibility,” ministers stated, pointing to expanded migration pathways for displaced Afghans and ongoing support for locally engaged Afghan employees now living in Australia.
Worsening restrictions and aid operations under threat
The anniversary arrived as concern mounts over fresh detentions of aid workers.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported this week that six male employees of an Afghan legal rights NGO were forcibly disappeared in Kabul, while Taliban intelligence officers in Herat detained two UN Assistance Mission (UNAMA) staff members.
UNAMA spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed the detentions, stating the UN had not been informed of charges nor permitted access. Zabihullah Mujahid told the Reuters news agency he was “trying to gather details” on the arrests.
Rights agencies warn the crackdown threatens the delivery of vital assistance in a country reliant on dwindling foreign aid.
Meanwhile, data released Wednesday by UN Women revealed that half of Afghan women now leave their homes only once or twice a month due to security fears and Taliban restrictions, including mandatory male chaperones.
UNESCO reports that an estimated 2.4 million girls have been barred from secondary school since 2021, making Afghanistan the only country globally to outlaw female education beyond age 12.
Responding to the UN findings, Afghan Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice spokesman, Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, rejected claims that women felt unsafe, telling Reuters that citizens enjoy security for the “first time in approximately 50 years” and that women’s rights are protected under Islamic law.
However, UN Women reported that more than 100 decrees targeting women have been issued over five years, reducing female employment to 7 percent compared to 84 percent for men. Seven in 10 women surveyed described their mental health as “bad” or “very bad.”
Though Taliban officials have forged diplomatic links with several nations, Russia remains the only country to formally recognize the government.
— With additional reporting from Agence-France Press and Reuters.