Australia is considering changes to its sanctions regulations that, if approved, would enable the government to impose new measures against Taliban officials.
The proposed reforms would allow Australia to introduce targeted sanctions on individuals or entities involved in undermining good governance and the rule of law, as well as those responsible for repressing women, girls, and minorities in Afghanistan.
Human Rights Watch has emphasized the importance of this step.
Daniela Gavshon, Australia director at Human Rights Watch, said: “The Australian government needs to act against Taliban leaders responsible for abuses against women and girls and other grave violations in Afghanistan.”
According to her, revising the sanctions framework would allow Australia to align itself with countries already taking action against Taliban policies.
She stressed that Australia should use targeted sanctions as an important foreign policy tool against the Taliban.
Gavshon added: “Sanctioning human rights–abusing leaders is one measure that can raise the cost of committing such crimes in Afghanistan and elsewhere.”
International backlash to the Taliban’s treatment of women led the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders — Hibatullah and Abdul Hakim Haqqani.
Experts and activists have described the Taliban’s policies as “gender apartheid.”
According to Human Rights Watch, the Taliban have increasingly restricted civic space, expanded censorship, and arrested and tortured journalists. The report also states that LGBTQ+ individuals and others who do not conform to the Taliban’s strict gender norms face heightened danger, including threats to their lives.
