Taliban officials gathered at Kabul's Loya Jirga hall to celebrate five years since seizing power on Aug. 15, 2021, crediting themselves with ending decades of conflict and restoring security. Deputy PM Abdul Salam Hanafi claimed daily killings and displacement have ceased under Taliban rule.
UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett countered that Afghanistan faces a deep human rights crisis, particularly for women and girls, whom his mandate says face gender persecution amounting to a crime against humanity. Girls over 12 remain barred from school, and women are excluded from parks, gyms, sports and unaccompanied travel.
UNESCO estimates 2.4 million girls have lost access to secondary education, while the UN World Food Program reports critical child malnutrition in a third of Afghan provinces. Only Russia has formally recognized the Taliban government, though Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi urged other nations to engage.
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