ACDFN welcomes the appointment of Ambassador Rabab Fatima as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of UNAMA, and outlines key priorities for advancing an inclusive political process, human rights, accountability, security, and humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
As Afghanistan approaches the fifth year of the Taliban’s military takeover, the country stands at the edge of a “suspended collapse.” Despite unprecedented humanitarian assistance and repeated calls for dialogue, the Taliban authorities have failed to take meaningful steps toward political reform, inclusive governance, respect for human rights, and compliance with Afghanistan’s international obligations. Human development indicators continue to decline sharply.
This summary report captures the discussions from the official side event of the 60th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, held on 10 September 2025 in Geneva and online. Experts, diplomats, and advocates examined ongoing efforts to address widespread human rights violations in Afghanistan, including the work of the ICC, ICJ initiatives, and campaigns to codify gender apartheid.
This open letter, endorsed by Afghan and international civil society organizations, urges the United Nations Human Rights Council to establish an independent international accountability mechanism for Afghanistan. It highlights the worsening human rights and humanitarian crisis under Taliban rule, including systematic violations against women, girls, minorities, and human rights defenders. The letter calls for urgent international action to end impunity, preserve evidence of crimes, and support justice, truth, and reparation for victims and survivors.
This article explores how the weakening of international institutions and global norms affects Afghanistan’s stability, governance, and future, highlighting the urgent need for stronger international engagement.
We are pleased to organize an important panel together with our partners on the margins of the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council titled: “From Call to Action: Designing the Right Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan.” 17th June 2025 – 10:00 to 11:00 hrs CET, Palais des Nations, Geneva. In the run up to […]
On the sidelines of the 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, a critical discussion on “Countering Gender Apartheid & Gender Persecution in Afghanistan: Call for Global Action for Accountability and Codification.”Since the Taliban seized control in 2021, Afghan women and girls have faced severe restrictions on their fundamental rights, marking a women’s […]
On the 12th of September 2023, the Center for Dialogue and Progress-Geneva (CDP-G) in collaboration with Action for Development (AFD), Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) and the Center for Human Rights Advocacy (CHRA) organised a Panel Discussion at the margin of the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council. The event brought together various perspectives […]
Summary and recommendations of the panel discussion (side event) on Securing Accountability for Human Rights Violations and Abuses in Afghanistan 13 September 2022 Summary: The Center for Dialogue and Progress – Geneva’s Afghanistan Human Rights Resources Center in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Afghanistan, Australia, Iceland, and Spain to the United Nations Office in […]
by Nasir A. Andisha and Marzia MarastoniThe recent killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a U.S. drone strike on a Taliban-linked guest house in the heart of Kabul brings the disastrous first year of the militant group’s control since August 2021 full circle. Zawahiri’s presence under Taliban eyes (the guest house was owned by U.S.-designated terrorist Sirajuddin Haqqani, the […]