General situation addressed

Cases
Location of case in SG report
2022-001-001
Relevant SG report
Year of the report
2022
Country Geolocation

Latitude: 33.93911

Longitude: 67.709953

Country Geolocation (linked Cases)
Afghanistan
From Region
UN body that raised the case prior to the SG report
  • UN Special Procedures: Country
  • UN Special Procedures: Thematic
  • OHCHR: OHCHR - General
  • UN Peace Operation / Political mission
  • UN Security Council
Dates of prior UN action
2 September 2021, 3 September 2021, 1 February 2022, March 2022,
Type of record
General situation addressed
Gender
Gender unclear
Was the victim a foreign national?
No
Was the victim a minor?
No
Type of rights defended
  • Unclear in SG Report
Was the victim a civil servant or member of the security forces or of the judiciary?
No
Location of mentioned reprisals
Afghanistan
Reprisal information
  1. During the reporting period, the UN Security Council, OHCHR, and special procedure mandate holders of the Human Rights Council have addressed the increasing erosion of civic space in Afghanistan, including the violence and daunting challenges faced by women and girls, as well as former public officials, victims of human rights violations, journalists, and civil society actors.
  2. Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, several UN actors, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and OHCHR, have reported numerous incidents and restrictions imposed by the de facto authorities, that have contributed to an environment where individuals and groups refrain from voicing dissent and engage in self-censorship for fear of repercussions, including for engagement and cooperation with the UN. Names and details of individuals concerned are withheld for fear of further reprisals.
  3. In her March 2022 report to the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner noted that human rights NGOs have become largely non-operational, due to restrictions imposed by de facto authorities and being fearful of repercussions. Lack of access to funding is another challenge that prevents civil society organisations from continuing their operations (A/HRC/49/24, AUV, para. 54). The de facto authorities have introduced a series of Orders and Instructions that as a result limit women’s freedom of movement (ibid., paras. 36–37).
Types of reprisals suffered
  • Threats/Intimidations (incl. "fear of reprisal")
  • Unclear
Alleged/likely perpetrators
State actors
Was the reprisal based on new legislation?
Yes
Does the report make general comment about country’s environment for engagement with UN?
Yes
Was the case raised by a State at the UN?
No
Is the country cited for a "pattern of reprisal" in the context of this case?
No
Is a pattern of reprisals mentioned otherwise in the context of this case?
No
Does the report cite "self-censorship" as an issue in the context of this case?
Yes
How many times has the case been followed up in subsequent SG reports?
0