13/08/2026
Joint Statement of Civil Society Organizations and Protest Movements
On the Occasion of August 15
“No to the Taliban, No to Gender Apartheid — For Freedom, Justice, and the Restoration of National Sovereignty”
On the anniversary of August 15—the day marking the collapse of the system, the shameful political deal, and the deliberate handover of Afghanistan to a terrorist and usurping group—we, the civil society organizations, protest movements, human rights activists, and freedom-seeking forces, declare our explicit legal and political position to the international community, the United Nations, and public opinion worldwide:
1. Criminalization of Gender Apartheid, Prosecution of Perpetrators, and Absolute Non-Engagement with the Taliban
Criminalization and Prosecution: The systematic exclusion of women from all social, educational, employment, and political spheres constitutes a textbook example of gender apartheid and a crime against humanity. Therefore, gender apartheid must be immediately criminalized, and all perpetrators must be prosecuted in international courts.
Cessation of Engagement and Denial of Legitimacy: The Taliban is a usurping group lacking national and international legitimacy. Any political engagement, normalization, granting of international platforms, or attempts to whitewash this group constitutes direct complicity in their crimes against the people of Afghanistan.
2. Halting Demographic Alterations, Resettlement Projects, and Land Grab
Halt to Resettlements: The organized transfer and settlement of suspect individuals and groups from Pakistan into Afghanistan is a dangerous campaign to alter the indigenous demographic structure of the country and must be stopped immediately.
Revocation of Land and Property Seizures: The confiscation of land, forced evictions, and seizure of public and private property by the Taliban are illegal and amount to pillage and forced displacement.
3. Rights of Former Military and Security Forces
End Targeted Killings: Arbitrary arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, and systematic assassinations of former defense and security forces constitute clear war crimes.
International Legal Prosecution: The International Criminal Court (ICC) and human rights bodies are obligated to investigate and prosecute the assassination and repression of former military personnel as crimes against humanity.
4. Journalists, Media Workers, and Freedom of Expression
End Media Choking and Censorship: Pressure, threats, arrests, torture of journalists, and the closure of independent media outlets must cease immediately.
Legal and Protection Support: International media support organizations must urgently establish a protective umbrella for targeted journalists inside and outside the country.
5. Civil and Fundamental Rights of All Citizens
Guaranteeing All Citizens' Rights: Every individual in society, without any discrimination or labeling, must enjoy the right to life, security, justice, and full civil and human rights.
Unconditional Release of Political Prisoners: All protesters, civil society activists, journalists, and dissidents held in Taliban prisons must be released immediately and unconditionally.
6. Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and the Principle of Non-Refoulement
Halt Forced Deportations: The forced deportation and pushback of asylum seekers, civil activists, and former military personnel by neighboring countries directly violate the fundamental legal principle of Non-Refoulement, placing their lives in imminent danger.
Expediting Protection Cases: Host countries must accelerate the processing of asylum claims for individuals at risk and provide all necessary legal safeguards.
Supporting Legal Instruments & Frameworks
1. Article 7 of the Rome Statute (International Criminal Court): The enforcement of gender apartheid, forced displacement, and enforced disappearances constitute crimes against humanity.
2. Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights & 1951 Refugee Convention: Strict adherence to the principle of Non-Refoulement regarding refugees whose lives are threatened in their country of origin.
3. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Systematic violations of freedom of expression, assembly, fair trial, and personal security by the Taliban represent a complete breach of binding international covenants.
Key Demands & Calls to Action
Referral of the dossier of crimes in Afghanistan to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the prosecution of those responsible for gender apartheid, assassinations of former military personnel, and illegal land grabs.
Complete cessation of all aid, political engagement, and whitewashing of the usurping Taliban regime by the United Nations and the international community.
Continued freezing of Afghanistan's national assets and ensuring that humanitarian aid is distributed exclusively under the direct oversight of independent international agencies.
Formal acknowledgment by the international community of its political responsibilities regarding the political handover of Afghanistan, accompanied by urgent action to support the free will of its people.
Protest Movements, Civil Society Organizations, and Human Rights Coalitions
(Inside and Outside Afghanistan)
