(New York) – Afghanistan’s government made no measurable gains to improve human rights in 2016, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2017. Intensified fighting between Taliban and government forces killed or injured more than 8,000 civilians, most in deliberate attacks by insurgent forces, and increased indiscriminate attacks by Afghan government forces and pro-government militias. Government infighting among powerful political rivals and a lack of political will stalled progress on securing women’s rights, reining in abusive militias, and protecting schools and media freedom from attack.





Click to expand Image Afghans attend a funeral for those killed by an airstrike during a raid on suspected Taliban forces in Kunduz on November 4, 2016. © 2016 Nasir Wakif/Reuters

In the 687-page World Report, its 27th edition, Human Rights Watch reviews human rights practices in more than 90 countries. In his introductory essay, Executive Director Kenneth Roth writes that a new generation of authoritarian populists seeks to overturn the concept of human rights protections, treating rights as an impediment to the majority will. For those who feel left behind by the global economy and increasingly fear violent crime, civil society groups, the media, and the public have key roles to play in reaffirming the values on which rights-respecting democracy has been built.“As Afghanistan’s national unity government squabbles for power, vital human rights achievements of the past 15 years are at risk of vanishing,” said Patricia Gossman , senior Afghanistan researcher. “The government should urgently act to protect civilians and get reforms back on track.”The Taliban threatened district centers and provincial capitals, causing thousands of civilians to flee as internally displaced persons (IDPs) . In late 2015 through at least early 2016, the Taliban stepped up their recruitment of child soldiers , particularly in northeastern Afghanistan. Government forces also increasingly occupied or used schools for military purposes in contested areas.Armed groups affiliating themselves with the Islamic State (also known as ISIS) were responsible for attacks that killed several hundred civilians . As fighting between the Taliban and Afghan government forces escalated, “upriser” militia forces loyal to powerful political figures were responsible for killings and assaults on civilians The government made some progress in releasing women jailed for so-called morality crimes , but failed to end prosecutions of women for “running away.” While the government reportedly finalized its implementation plan for the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, the plan had not been made public nor had the government finalized a budget for it.The year was the bloodiest on record since 2001 for Afghan journalists, with 12 journalists killed in the first nine months of the year. Government or pro-government elements were responsible for a majority of cases of violence against journalists, followed by the Taliban. The year saw no progress in the government’s vows to curb attacks on journalists “Afghan government officials should not use the insurgency as a pretext to put civilians in harm’s way or restrict basic rights,” Gossman said. “Protecting schools, ensuring women’s rights, and holding security forces accountable are crucial to improving security for all civilians in Afghanistan.”