• Afghanistan: Hundreds of Women, Girls Jailed for ‘Moral Crimes’
    Press release
    Mar 28, 2012

    The Afghan government should release the approximately 400 women and girls imprisoned in Afghanistan for “moral crimes.” 

  • Statement at the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Afghanistan
    Oral statement
    Mar 21, 2012

    The key issues in Afghanistan emphasized in this statement are the following: declining international aid and political engagement; the need for an inclusive decision-making process; the need for accountable security forces; violence against women and "moral crimes"

  • Afghanistan: End Invasive Searches of Women Visiting Prison
    Press release
    Mar 20, 2012
    The Afghan government should immediately end the practice of invasive vaginal searches of women visiting prisoners at Afghanistan’s largest prison, Pul-i-Charkhi in Kabul.
  • Are Afghan women better off after a decade of war?
    Commentary
    Mar 8, 2012
    The Taliban's fall promised women some basic freedoms and rights. Indeed, over the past 10 years there have been significant improvements for Afghan women and girls.
  • Children deported to Kabul will face 'horrible risks'
    Commentary
    Feb 10, 2012
    The UK plans to deport migrant children back to Afghanistan even if it cannot find their families – and it is not the only European country to make the proposal, writes Human Rights Watch campaigner
  • Afghanistan: Little Progress on Rights
    Press release
    Jan 23, 2012
    The dire human rights situation in Afghanistan showed few signs of progress in the past year, raising serious concerns about the future.
  • Afghanistan: Appoint Experts to Human Rights Commission
    Press release
    Jan 18, 2012

    President Hamid Karzai should appoint independent and experienced human rights experts to fill vacancies on the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC).

  • Afghanistan: Decree Increases Detainees’ Risk of Torture
    Press release
    Jan 10, 2012
    President Hamid Karzai should revoke a new decree that puts detainees in Afghan-run prisons at heightened risk of torture and ill-treatment.
  • Last Chance to Get it Right in Afghanistan
    Commentary
    Dec 29, 2011
    Ten years ago last week, Hamid Karzai was sworn in as the leader of Afghanistan. “In this critical time, when our motherland is watching our actions, let us come together and be brothers and sisters,” he said, taking office as head of the interim government after the Taliban’s defeat. “Let us be good to each other and be compassionate and share our grief. Let us forget the sad past.” His words captured the hope of many Afghans that their country was emerging from conflict to a new era of reconstruction, democracy, and respect for human rights.
  • Afghanistan: Don’t Expand Afghan Local Police
    Press release
    Dec 15, 2011

    President Barack Obama should halt plans by the US military to expand the Afghan Local Police program until significant reforms are made in training, supervision, and accountability.